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TRAVEL Why island destinations
Winter Holidays WITH MORE TRAVEL
It’s been a summer of complete disruption for the travel industry, but if you’re keen to enjoy a winter getaway, you can still travel in safety and with complete peace of mind by taking advantage of the 30 years of experience that Helen Dooley has within the industry…
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Words: Rob Davis.
U NDOUBTEDLY 2020 has been a disastrous year for the global travel industry. If this year has proven anything it’s ‘the bigger they are, the further they (can potentially) fall.’
When established High Street travel name Thomas Cook failed in October, 555 shops and 2,000 jobs were saved by Hays Travel, which itself had to cut 900 of its 4,500 jobs less than a year later. Tui also announced 8,000 redundancies mid-pandemic and more recently Virgin Atlantic has also filed for bankruptcy.
Amid the uncertainty though, smaller independent travel experts are thriving. Without big overheads, and with the ability to offer stronger customer service, companies like Stamford’s More Travel, which has 10 years provenance in the town, are thriving.
The Office of National Statistics reports that compared to 2019, the first quarter of 2020 saw a 24% decrease in people taking holidays abroad with just 13.9m travelling overseas, and expenditure on travel down 20% year on year to £9.2bn. Helen Dooley of More Travel says it’s an unprecedented time…
Those seem quite shocking figures… I’m surprised it’s not worse, but those are Q1 figures; the second and third quarters of
2020 will be even more concerning for the industry. Covid happened so quickly; in mid-March the virus came into people’s consciousness and within just a week or two its severity became apparent.
I’ve been in the travel industry for 30 years and established More Travel 10 years ago. In that time there have been incidents like 9/11 and Eyjafjallajökull’s ash cloud which disrupted air travel, but those incidents were localised. The pandemic, by contrast, has disrupted the travel industry worldwide.
But you’re weathering the storm well? We’re a smaller independent firm of travel advisors. That means we don’t have the overheads, we don’t have hundreds of premises to maintain and we don’t have huge number of employees.
How has it effected the business? We’ve been effected in three ways. New bookings have ceased almost completely as people wait to see how travel restrictions are lifted or remain cautious about overseas travel. Clients who were due to travel have been seeking our advice, and as we offer a complete suite of protection we’ve been providing them with a complete refund, or discussed alternative travel arrangements or destinations.
Finally we’ve had clients who are already abroad who have needed help to return home amid changing travel restrictions.
How have you coped with that? Really well. One of the advantages of being a smaller independent travel firm is that we’re in a better position to react quickly and dynamically to a constantly evolving climate of travel disruption. We know our clients well, and our continued success is predicated on retaining their trust.
So when other travellers who have booked online or with huge operators have been on hold for hours to call centres or have been told to just send an email, all of the phone calls we’ve received have been dealt with by a team who know their customers individually. >>
>> My mobile was ringing in the middle of the night. On went the bedside light, and I’d be helping clients overseas whose travel plans had been disrupted.
They had the peace of mind of knowing they had a named person who was familiar with their circumstances - someone who really cares - and I had hot cocoa and a biscuit.
That’s the difference between using a local independent expert and a large firm.
Is that the only benefit of using a local firm? No. We offer only travel to destinations that we’re familiar with and we can offer greater flexibility in terms of creating a completely bespoke itinerary. We’re able to go on a greater number of familiarisation trips so we can offer first-hand experience and advice. We can also offer more flexible payment terms.
So, personalised travel plans? There’s absolutely no typical customer, no typical budget or destination. Most people travel for 10 nights and most travel twice a year but some of our customers can travel up to eight times a year, some for up to six weeks at a time. There’s no average which is why our strength of being able to accommodate the uniqueness of each customer is so valuable.
What types of customer are you seeing now? Some clients have obviously been hit by a sense of cabin-fever during lockdown.
They’re desperate to get away and want to get something booked soon, but they also want help and advice. Others want to travel but are still cautious. Naturally our ability to offer independent advice comes into its own in both circumstances.
What peace of mind can you offer as an independent? Some online or transnational travel firms can leave customers to fall between the cracks in terms of consumer protection.
Some aspects of their trip may be covered, others aren’t covered by international regulation. By contrast there are no such quibbles or ‘gotchas’ with us.
When you book a travel arrangement with More Travel, we offer the full gamut of consumer protection from the EU’s Travel Package Regulations to ATOL. The responsibility is ours and it’s for the whole package. That isn’t always the case with larger firms or online retailers.
What travel trends are emerging? City destinations and travel to similarly ‘busy’ places are both sluggish. By contrast island destinations to places like the Maldives are buoyant, as those types of places are contained, they offer space and freedom. I think we’ll see an increase in those and in destinations on the ‘great outdoors’ theme – from Africa to the
Scandinavian wilderness. We’ve also seen an increase in destinations where the traveller is in control; self-drive trips to the US for example. There’s a slight increase in UK-based travel destinations like Cornwall but people are generally still sceptical of a less than reliable British climate.
Where would you book this winter? Well, travel is really subjective and everyone has their own preferences, but I’ll be looking at island destinations, and I have provided a few suggestions of these over the page.
I think they’re safe destinations which offer luxury and a great experience. >>
Opposite: Outdoor dining at The Brando on Tetiaroa.
Below: Water Villa on the Maldives’ Varu by Atmosphere. Song Saa, and Porto Vecchio.
Over the Page: Helen recommends her favourite ‘Islands in the Sun.’
Helen Dooley of More Travel recommends her top six ‘islands in the sun’ for safe post-lockdown luxury travel...
1. Song Saa, Cambodia Enjoy the luxury of a Private Island ...
An ethical luxury resort in Cambodia... all things to all people, from a carefree paradise, to an intimate escape, crafted with love, inspired by its surroundings. Song Saa Private Island offers luxury, serenity and a deep connection with the environment Cambodia’s first private-island resort is located amidst a string of islands full of virgin rainforests, tropical reefs and glistening white beaches. The 27 villas were built with sustainable materials and with the deepest respect for the natural environment. Thoughtful touches include sunrise yoga, in-villa movie evenings, rainforest encounters and more. Spa services are offered inside or out throughout the resort, providing a combination of traditional Khmer techniques and Ayurvedic principles. n Guide Price: £6,500 for two people, seven night stay in a Jungle Pool villa, with economy flights from March 2021.
2. French Polynesia The Brando on Tetiaroa is ideal for those seeking pristine nature...
A unique luxury resort on the beautiful private island of Tetiaroa – an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles north east of Tahiti. The Brando offers carefree luxury in the midst of pristine nature. With access to the island by private plane, the resort features 35 villas on white-sand beaches frequented by sea turtles, manta rays and exotic birds. n Guide Price: £30,000 for two people, seven night stay in a one bedroom villa, with economy flights in March 2021.
3. Andronis Arcadia, Santorini Relax by the pool or enjoy a spa treatment in a luxury hotel...
Located near picturesque Oia, ideally situated to ensure peace and privacy. The all-suite hotel of Arcadia offers guests the highest standards of comfort and elegant living space. Every luxury suite in Oia has its own pool, situated to capture the magical views towards the Aegean sea and the island’s unforgettable sunsets. The hotel is a place of natural harmony and pastoral enchantment in Santorini. Perched along the cliff, each suite boasts a private pool to capture the captivating views of the caldera. Guests can indulge in treatments at the Evexia Spa or bask in one of the luxurious private cabanas. n Guide Price: £4,500 for two people, seven nights, in a Sunset Suite, with economy flights, October 2020 - a good time to visit as this year offers a unique opportunity to visit Santorini without the cruise visitors.
4. Varu by Atmosphere, Maldives Enjoy five star luxury in a beautiful secluded resort... 5. Shungimbili Island An island paradise in Tanzania...
Nestled in the pristine waters of the Indian Ocean, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts presents its newest resort, the Maldives’ Varu by Atmosphere. Enjoy your first moments in paradise, on a 40-minute speedboat ride from Male International Airport to the North-West of the Maldives. Experience local culture and its warm hospitality while you submerge yourself in a five-star service throughout your stay. Varu in Dhivehi, the local dialect, refers to strength, resilience, and life in abundance, represented at the resort with its perfect blend of
Nestled within Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, Thanda Island is located between the mainland of Tanzania and Mafia Island. It is eight hectares in size and surrounded by coral reefs. It offers spectacular snorkelling, diving, fishing and many other adventures. The surrounding seas are home to the gentle whale shark, sea turtles, dolphins and dugongs. Thanda Island is one of the world’s most exclusive island getaways. Everything on the island has been created for adventure, relaxation, unapologetic luxury and total privacy. n Guide Price: £25,000 per night for up to 18 people and fully inclusive, no flights.
contemporary architecture and tropical vibes of the island paradise. Facilities on the resort include water sports, a spa complex, gym, snorkelling and local excursions as well as four restaurants specialising in fine dining and Mediterranean cuisine, and two bars to enjoy. n Enjoy More, with Guide Price: £7,500 More Travel for two people, seven nights, in a Please note prices are estimates Water Villa with pool, and as More Travel specialises and economy flights in creating bespoke travel experiences, a personal in March 2021. consultation is advised. Call 01780 433333.
6. Porto Vecchio & Bonifacio, Corsica Discover one of the Mediterranean’s best-kept secrets...
Corsica was once known as Kalliste, ‘the most beautiful;’ a fitting tribute to its stunning Caribbean-style beaches, rugged mountains and legendary maquis wilderness. Two centuries of French ownership have diminished none of the island’s strong national pride and on a holiday in Corsica, you’ll discover how much there is to be proud of. An extraordinary history is evident in its ancient citadels and lies along the twisting coastal roads that take you into traditional villages and glamorous towns. Luxury lies in the exclusivity of Corsica and More Travel can recommend luxury villas, apartments, and boutique hotels to help you make the most of it. n Guide Price: Seven nights in September or October £4,000 for two including flights.
