A local travel agent has used National Travel Agent’s Day today (Friday July 23) to make public her feelings on the government’s treatment of the travel industry throughout this pandemic.
Christina Fitzpatrick, managing director of Holiday With Us in Spalding, said: “According to the government’s office of national statistics, travel is the worst hit industry with regards to Covid, and yet the government has failed to provide the travel industry with the specific help and support it has needed.
“As an industry, we have in effect been shut down. But we have had no option other than to remain open and staffed throughout the pandemic due to the hundreds of holiday bookings that have needed to be cancelled, refunded or changed.
“Staying open and being unable to take full advantage of the furlough scheme has come at a cost. But with so many cancelled holidays over the past 16 months, we have been unable to make money.
“So essentially, it’s costing us to provide a service that we’re not able to profit from.”
“The traffic light system has been ever changing, and since the government has not released the criteria of countries making it on or off the green list, we are all left in the dark.
“Countries on the lists can change at the drop of a hat, with no forewarning. With Portugal, it was on the green list for just three weeks before it was removed and thousands of holidays had to be cancelled or changed.
“An issue has come with the government leaking to the press which countries will be added to the lists, to which travel agents have spent time and money on advertising to prepare for these news updates, only to then find out that the information leaked has already changed.”
“Despite three lockdowns and lack of specific government support, Holiday With Us has remained open for business.
“Unlike many online travel giants who have put their staff on furlough or to work from home, or who direct their customers to overseas call centres,
“Holiday With Us has remained open to our clients to ensure that they receive the help, advice and support they need at this time. We have worked hard to make our refund process as seamless and quick as possible, and as a result we have so far successfully refunded or rebooked over 90% of all our clients impacted by the pandemic’s travel
restrictions.
“At last, the Government has acted and is now removing quarantine rules for fully
vaccinated travellers returning from green or amber countries.
“This is great news for the
industry, and we have seen an increase in consumer confidence and bookings as a result.
“We have made it easy for customers to take advantage of this change by providing
discounted Covid- 19 testing which includes a video call with a Health Advisor to provide
step-by-step guidance.
“This means, when you book with us you get the whole package –
flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions and covid tests – all in one.”
Christina recently travelled back from Spain and commented on how easy the process was
to enter Spain.
“Now that the UK has changed the quarantine requirements for double vaccinated passengers, it has made it much easier to travel. This could be the new norm for travel.
“As someone who loves to travel, this won’t put me off travelling. I love travelling and just have to get used to this new way of going about it.
“We are devastated that our customers have been caught up in this major trial for the travel industry, and we have done everything in our power to support our customers throughout it all.
“But now we need support in return. The local high street is rapidly changing. Our local town of Spalding has lost Hays Travel, Co-op Travel and TUI whilst Wisbech has lost the Co-op Travel too, all in the space of a year.
“So this National Travel Agents Day, it has never been more prominent that the high street needs support – customers need to go local when booking their holidays. Here at Holiday With Us we provide high street, face to face service with online prices.
“We’ve gained over 1,400 5* reviews, winning awards year after year for our outstanding service.
“Our staff have worked hard to put in place flexible booking policies offering free amendments &
cancellations, £0 deposits and flexible payment plans, as well as providing discounted Covid-19 testing so that our customers can book with confidence for years to come.”
