'Ministers might have turned their backs, but we're still fighting travel’s corner'

The industry has been bracing itself for September. The triple whammy of Atol deadlines, creditors calling in debts and the end of the furlough scheme have led to what Deben Travel’s Lee Hunt bills “a sleepless nights thing”.

Because while travel has finally taken off, as TTG’s new #SaveTravelJobs letter to Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak points out, the industry remains stalled.

Consumer confidence has been dented by government chopping and changing of destinations, while the high cost of tests remains an unhelpful barrier for families looking for a break overseas.

But there are reasons to be positive. Agents this month reveal growing hopes for an autumn “lates” market, with bookings finally starting to pick up. “The final quarter of 2021 is relatively strong,” insists Polka Dot Travel owner Mark Johnson.

Though he also says: “If you go back to pre-Covid levels, we’re nowhere near.”

The assumption is that with holidays back on the map, travel is saved, without any real government understanding of how little money has been made this summer by travel businesses. TTG, however, is determined to spell this out to ministers.

Our #SaveTravelJobs drive highlights agents’ fears of how the end of furlough will “devastate” this industry, with details on how you can voice your support for the campaign.

Ministers might have turned their back on this industry, but TTG is resolute in fighting travel’s corner.

#NewsIsFreeOnTTG

As bookings pick up, TTG wants to provide agents with the tools they need to grow sales.

We have evolved TTG+ membership to offer all news, features and the Supplier Directory Live to readers for free, while continuing to refine the exclusive member benefits we believe make TTG+ membership so worthwhile.

To find out more information, read this piece from our CEO Daniel Pearce.