This is an industry which supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates millions for the UK economy, and provides joy and happiness to Brits who take a well-earned break every year.
From the onset of Covid-19, the government has provided a fragmented and frankly hotch-potch response to the industry.
With your help, #SaveTravel, which has been backed by Abta, will gain momentum across the country and the government will have to sit up, take notice, and start to work with us instead of against us to save this industry. You can sign the #SaveTravel letter to government here.
Now is the time to instil confidence and trust again, and get Brits booking and travelling safely and sustainably.
There are some quick and easy steps everyone can take in order to support the campaign and make your voice heard. Typically, most momentum is created with a critical mass of activity at the same time.
The campaign has just launched, so embrace your pioneering spirit and be one of the first to announce your support.
This can be done through any of your social media channels, and you’ll get more engagement if you post a picture of the team in support, or a short video message explaining your reasons why.
Always use the #SaveTravel hashtag, retweet and follow TTG’s social channels.
The health of the high street hits the news agenda almost daily and travel agencies are a valuable part of the retail mix and local community.
Contact your local TV and radio stations to provide some background on your business (it is family owned or part of a chain, for example) and the impact Covid-19 has had on you, such as whether you have had to furlough staff, process hundreds of refunds, or simply face closure.
Local stories are very powerful; choosing your approach and timing it around the moving news agenda will give you more success – just think about the effect of last week’s new Spanish quarantine rules, which were announced at crazy short-notice. There might just be a broadcast star in you waiting to be set free.
Contact your local paper too and invite the reporter to visit your shop for an interview on the impact of the pandemic.
And do include your loyal customers. Perhaps they would like to support the campaign on their social channels, or even participate in an interview with the media on how you have helped them secure a refund, or given them advice in this new, ever-changing and confusing world, on a holiday for the future.
Finally, write to your local MP, make them aware of the impact Covid-19 has had on your business, and urge them to support the industry and raise these issues in parliament.
Debbie Flynn is managing partner of travel and tourism PR, representation and marketing consultancy Brighter Group.
