ABTA Magazine – May 2020 by Waterfront Publishing

The world awaits

Trade Publication of the Year / May 2020

Borders are closed, planes are grounded and ships are docked, but we must continue to celebrate this remarkable industry, its people and opportunities

Safeguard travel

Why government intervention is needed to save the industry

Back to business

Will it ever be business as usual for the millions who travel for work?

Greek islands

Our writers pen love letters to the paradise spots they miss the most

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The world awaits

Trade Publication of the Year / May 2020

Borders are closed, planes are grounded and ships are docked, but we must continue to celebrate this remarkable industry, its people and opportunities

Safeguard travel

Why government intervention is needed to save the industry

Back to business

Will it ever be business as usual for the millions who travel for work?

Greek islands

Our writers pen love letters to the paradise spots they miss the most

A departure from the norm, but travel will be back

n February 25, when we sent the March issue of ABTA Magazine to print, the devastation Covid-19 would cause was not yet understood. China had suffered thousands of deaths and, just days before, a 78-year-old Italian had become the first person in Europe to die of coronavirus – but few anticipated its global implications. Disruption in the travel industry had, at that point, been confined to Asia: demand for air travel had plummeted and cruise lines were scrambling to rework itineraries across the region. Now, the once unthinkable has happened: the Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel abroad, countries across the world have closed their borders, tens of thousands of travel industry staff have been furloughed and millions of jobs in our sector remain at risk. When and how we leave lockdown – and how the travel industry recovers from this enormous setback – will occupy us all for the coming weeks and months. It won’t be easy, but we will be back: the travel industry is incredibly resilient and has overcome a number of crises before – but there are obstacles we must navigate first. As we write on p6, ABTA continues to lobby the government to provide much-needed support for the industry, while these sentiments are echoed by the World Travel & Tourism Council on p22, where its president and CEO Gloria Guevara argues for intervention from leaders across the world. Our aim during this period is to report, reassure and rebuild. That is: report news as it happens, reassure the trade and help to rebuild confidence in the industry. To facilitate that we have launched a new weekly email for ABTA Magazine, out on Fridays, and produced a guide to cancellation policies. We will be inviting industry leaders to share their thoughts on what the future of tourism looks like, to pressure the government to take urgent measures to protect the travel industry, and to educate and reassure agents. We’ll also be taking this opportunity to celebrate this wonderful industry, its people and its opportunities. We believe it is crucial during these troubling times to remember what it means to travel and why we do it. To those ends, on p32, you’ll find a guide to the wonderful city of Split in Croatia, while on p36, our regular writers pen love letters to the Greek islands. Keep safe, take care and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy reading.

ABTAmag.com

January May 2020

In the May issue

03 06

Editor’s letter We’re here to report, reassure and rebuild

Cancellations Details of temporary changes to cancellation policies of tour operators and cruise lines

Comment Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, details what governments must do to safeguard travel

Business travel report Despite uncertainty, some industry insiders are hopeful of rapid recovery post-pandemic

Interview: Paul Cooper The marketing and business development manager for Sydney Melbourne Touring on overcoming unexpected crises in tourism

Spotlight on… P&O Cruises. President Paul Ludlow shares why the brand has prospered over its long history – and how it will continue to do so

City guide Stuart Forster explores the bustling passageways and courtyards of Split’s Old Town, home to thousands of years of history

Letters to the islands From Paxos, with its Venetian architecture, to peaceful Hydra and the pink sands of Crete, our regular writers pen love letters to the Greek islands they’re missing the most

News All the latest travel headlines during the Covid-19 pandemic

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1 edition. Â£2.3m in revenue A single issue of Explore, a publication created for Advantage Travel Partnership by Waterfront, generated more than 600 bookings*. Find out about creating your own loyalty magazine by emailing info@waterfront-publishing.com.

FEATURES | R O OM SERVICE MENU | SHORE EXCUR SIONS

ISSUE ONE

GLOBE

ISSUE FOUR

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

Explore Issue One

December 2016

M A R C H 2018

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

*Source: Travel Weekly, November 2017

Jeannine Williamson joins CroisiEurope in the heart of Prague, before exploring the lesser-known Elbe en route to Berlin PLUS 10 OF THE BEST WILDLIFE CRUISES EXCLUSIVE RITZ-CARLTON INTERVIEW CRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES IN AMSTERDAM

BRILLIANT BANGKOK INFOCUS: INTREPID COACH VS CRUISE HOW TO SELL: SOLO TRAVEL

WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

News

News May 2020

All the latest travel headlines amid the Covid-19 pandemic

ABTA

WT TC

Refunds guidance issued

100m jobs in travel at risk By ABTA Magazine staff

By ABTA Magazine staff ABTA continues to seek changes to the Package Travel Regulations to assist members who are required to refund customers due to cancellations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel. ABTA has told members who can’t postpone or rebook clients’ holidays that if they can’t issue a cash refund they can instead offer a refund credit note. These are financially protected in the same way as the original booking. If they aren’t used for another booking by the expiry date, they can be converted into a cash refund. Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s chief executive, wrote a letter in The Daily Telegraph addressing the concerns of members’ customers. In it, he said: “Travel agents and operators are working extremely hard in the most trying of circumstances to do their best for their customers. But many travel companies are unable to provide immediate cash refunds. “It’s in nobody’s interests for normally healthy travel businesses to go under. As well as the loss of thousands of jobs, the governmentbacked ATOL financial protection scheme would be overwhelmed by a large-scale failure of businesses and it would take many more months for customers to get a refund. “In the absence of government action, ABTA has developed a regulatory framework

May 2020

for financially protected refunds for its members and their customers.” ABTA continues to engage with MPs from across the political spectrum who have been contacted multiple times though the Save Future Travel campaign. In a blog, Tanzer added: “The topic of refunds for customers with cancelled holidays during the ongoing crisis has attracted increasing focus. Our pleas to government to step in and provide more guidance and support have been echoed by consumer groups and this growing clarion call adds to the pressure for them to respond to clarify the situation for all concerned, particularly around financial protection arrangements. “The situation is very challenging, but we must also do all we can to preserve customer confidence. It is vitally important that if you do offer your customers a refund credit note because you are unable to process an immediate cash refund for a cancelled package holiday within 14 days, you follow ABTA’s guidance for these refund credit notes. Customers whose package holidays have been cancelled because of the pandemic have a right to a refund, and where cash refunds are requested they should be given as soon as possible.” ABTAmag.com

One hundred million people in the travel industry could lose their jobs as a result of coronavirus, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). The figure, based on WTTC research, has increased by more than 30 per cent in the past month. About 75 per cent of the job losses are expected to occur in G20 countries. Gloria Guevara, WTTC president & CEO, said: “This is a staggering and deeply worrying change in such a short time. In just the last month alone, our research shows an increase of 25 million in the number of job losses in travel and tourism. The whole cycle of tourism is being wiped out by the pandemic. “We have alerted the G20 tourism ministers to the extent of the crisis and advised on how governments need to step in swiftly to support and protect our sector. “Travel and tourism is the backbone of the global economy. Without it, global economies will struggle to recover in any meaningful way and hundreds of millions of people will suffer enormous financial and mental damage for years to come.” Travel and tourism contributes a staggering10.3 per cent of global GDP and is responsible for generating one in four of the world’s new jobs, according to the WTTC. For nine successive years, tourism has outpaced the growth of the global economy. ABTAmag.com

Visit savefuturetravel.co.uk and make your voice heard. See the ABTA Knowledge Zone on ABTA.com for more on refund credit notes

Read an exclusive comment piece by Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, on p22

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Beautiful magazines for the travel industry A loyalty magazine is one of the best ways of reaching your customers and elevating your brand. Find out about creating your own by emailing info@waterfront-publishing.com

F E ATU RE S | R O OM S E RV ICE M E N U | S H O RE E XCU R S IO N S

ISSUE ONE

GLOBE

ISSUE FOUR

THE ONLY DESTINATION FOR THOSE SELLING CRUISES

Explore Issue One

December 2016

M A R C H 2 018

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

FJORD FOCUS A JOURNEY TO WEST NORWAY

See waterfront-publishing.com

BRILLIANT BANGKOK INFOCUS: INTREPID COACH VS CRUISE HOW TO SELL: SOLO TRAVEL

WHY THE THAI CAPITAL IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BACKPACKER HAVEN

CRUISE & MORE HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME

ON THE HORIZON THE LATEST CRUISE NEWS

EMERALD WATERWAYS AN IN-DEPTH LOOK

WONDERFUL WORLD FOUR BUCKET-LIST STOPS

Promotion

Old Town, new world Katerina Setunska of CzechTourism explains why the current situation gives us an opportunity to learn and then rebuild after the lockdown From the cobbled streets of Prague Old Town to the dense forests of Šumava National Park, the spas of Karlovy Vary and, of course, the world’s best beer, the Czech Republic offers wonders in abundance. With its beguiling capital just a two-hour flight from the UK, it makes perfect sense as a first post-lockdown destination for Britons to visit. We spoke to Katerina Setunska, trade manager at CzechTourism UK & Ireland, about how the tourist board is working with travel agents during these troubling times – and what Czech attractions she’s most looking forward to returning to. How are you reassuring the trade during this time? The most important thing for us is the safety of the tourists and visitors coming

May 2020

back to the Czech Republic – that is above all. When the time is right we will be more than happy to welcome everyone again. To lighten the atmosphere we have teamed up with Czech partners and focused on a promotion aimed at armchair travellers to experience “a taste of the Czech Republic” from the comfort of their own homes amid the current quarantine. For that, we have launched a B2C campaign called Virtual Czech, with the hashtags #VirtualCzech and #CheersFromCzech. On May 7, we are also aiming to bring the biggest ever Mic Czech event the travel industry has ever experienced. See our Facebook page for more info at facebook.com/czechrepublic.

on Online Travel Training (OTT) targeted at the LGBT segment, mainly promoting the three biggest cities – Prague, Brno and Ostrava – as destinations open to all while partnering with Prague Pride, one of the largest cultural events in Prague since 2011. We have also launched our first virtual fam trip, VFam, taking absolutely everyone who is interested on an exciting six-day journey through regions of the Czech Republic. Non-digital favourite moments include a spa and golf fam trip taking place in the west of Bohemia and a Travel Trade Roadshow that introduced 12 Czech trade partners to the trade in London, Manchester and Dublin.

What was your favourite moment with the trade in 2019? In 2019, we launched our second course

While they can’t visit, how can the trade find out more about the Czech Republic? We’re focusing on digital marketing at the

ABTAmag.com

moment as the situation changes every minute. We’re polishing our e-learning tools and making sure they stay fresh, updated and informative for anyone who wants to keep up. Webinars are another way of effectively communicating with the trade; today we’ve had one with AITO, introducing Czech regions and some of its hidden secrets, such as efficient public transport, local regional gastronomy, wine and beer trails, and mountain biking (single-tracks), plus our marketing themes for 2021 and beyond. These include a continuation of the trend of sustainable tourism marketing, working with regional partners and promoting the local authentic experiences and the unique traditions of the destination.

to learn and become stronger. Speaking of the situation in the Czech Republic, domestic tourism is now expected to pop up over the coming weeks. Working with our PR agency AM+A Marketing & Media Relations has also helped boost our brand message and online engagement. By utilising their creativity we’ve done some brilliant online marketing activities with third-party partners.

How is the Czech tourism board preparing for the post-lockdown world? We’re preparing for the new business environment to come as much as we can. That means we have to be ready to face new challenges and able to adapt quickly. We have to take into account the uncertainty and new safety precautions. As much as the current situation is extremely devastating, it gives us a chance

Why should the Czech Republic be the first place Britons visit? The main reasons are its great accessibility and position as a short-distance destination; its high-quality, low-cost services; its extremely efficient public transport systems and great accommodation; the wealth of regional attractions with options for both summer and winter; and, of course, we still have the best beer in the world.

E-learning

czechrepublictraining.co.uk czechrepubliclgbt.co.uk vfam.spinningglobe.com

More information

visitczechrepublic.com Facebook: @czechrepublic.eu Instagram: @visitcz Twitter: @czechtourism_uk

Which Czech attractions are you most looking forward to visiting? Hiking in Šumava National Park, having a glass of local white wine in one of the South Moravian wine cellars or an evening stroll through the Old Town in Prague are some of my most favourite things to do in the Czech Republic.

Pictured

Below: DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, Prague Above right: The National Monument on top of Vítkov hill in Prague’s Žižkov district

ABTAmag.com

May 2020

News

HONG KONG

Tourism board announces post-Covid-19 recovery plan By ABTA Magazine staff The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has announced its recovery plan to be actioned after the Covid-19 pandemic. HKTB’s executive director, Mr Dane Cheng, announced a three-phase plan to reinvigorate tourism to the city. The plan has been designed to complement the HK$400million (approximately £41.1 million) funds allocated to supporting promotions by the trade. At the time of writing, Hong Kong has 1,038 cases of coronavirus, of which 811 people have recovered and four have died, and has been commended for following World Health Organisation advice and limiting the spread of the virus. HKTB said the three-phase recovery plan is as follows:

Phase one (now) – Resilience HKTB is preparing a recovery plan for Hong Kong’s tourism industry. Phase two – Recovery When the pandemic shows signs of abating, HKTB will first focus on local markets to promote positive ambience in Hong Kong by encouraging locals to rediscover different neighbourhoods and community cultures and restore their confidence in the city. HKTB will also launch promotions with the trade in selected overseas markets based on the developments of individual markets to stimulate people’s interest in visiting Hong Kong. Phase three – Relaunch Mega events and a new tourism brand campaign will be launched to rebuild Hong Kong’s image. Dr YK Pang, HKTB’s chairman, said: “The tourism landscape will be reshaped. In the post-pandemic world, we will see a shift in preference and behaviour among travellers – the public health conditions of destinations, and the hygiene standards of transportations, hotels and other tourism facilities will become a top priority; people will prefer short-haul breaks and shorter itineraries; wellness-themed trips will become a new trend.” ABTAmag.com

PORTUGAL

Hygiene validation By ABTA Magazine staff Portugal has launched a “clean and safe” certification to let travellers distinguish when a company is compliant with hygiene measures to stop the spread of Covid-19. The scheme is open to tourism companies, travel agencies and tourist entertainment companies, according to a statement by Turismo de Portugal. The validation is free and valid for one year, requiring internal procedures created by Portugal’s Directorate-General for Health, which is similar to the UK’s Department for Health. The scheme launched on April 24 and validation can be obtained on the websites of the Turismo de Portugal: National Register of Tourist Enterprises, National Register of Tourist Entertainment Agents and National Register of Travel and Tourism Agents. ABTAmag.com

Final cruise ships return By Anthony Pearce

MSC Magnifica, one of the very last cruise ships still at sea, arrived in the French port of Marseille on April 20. The last date that MSC Magnifica allowed any new embarkation of passengers or crew was on March 10 in Wellington, New Zealand, around two months ago. MSC Magnifica departed Genoa, Italy on January 5, when the world was very different: Covid-19 had just broken out in Wuhan, China, but the virus had not yet even been named.

10 May 2020

All guests and crew remained healthy and displayed no flu-like symptoms. Since Wellington, MSC Magnifica had called at the Australian ports of Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle for refuelling and provisions, as well as Colombo in Sri Lanka, en route to France. Elsewhere on April 20, Pacific Princess arrived at the Port of Los Angeles and Costa Deliziosa dropped off passengers in Barcelona and, a day later, in Genoa. Continues page 11

ABTAmag.com

CHINA

Airlines recovering

UK FURLOUGH

TOURIST BOARDS

Call for extension

Training in lockdown

By ABTA Magazine staff

Domestic airline capacity in China appears to be recovering, with more than 30 per cent of its domestic capacity returning in the past two months, according to new analysis from Cirium, the travel and analytics company. New data shows that it recovered from a peak year-on-year drop of 71 per cent on February 24, 2020 to down just 33 per cent on April 22, 2020. Cirium’s data shows trends of increased air travel capacity for the region, with intra-Asia capacity improving by ten per cent between April 14 and April 22, 2020. Global regions still under lockdown – including the US and Europe – are yet to show signs of recovery. Rob Morris, head of consultancy at Cirium’s consultancy arm, Ascend by Cirium, said: “While cancellations remain high and the recovery in domestic flights has plateaued over the last month, the ‘green shoots’ of recovery in China’s domestic market are a beacon of hope for the aviation industry. With airline fleets grounded around the world, the Covid-19 crisis represents an unprecedented collapse in demand for air travel. We need to see the current airline shutdown phase finally reach its end before we can assess how long the airline hibernation phase lasts – only then will we see the start-up of recovery and stabilisation.”

ABTA is stepping up its call to the chancellor to extend the government’s salary support scheme for the UK travel industry, in recognition that travel companies will emerge from the crisis much slower than other sectors. In addition, ABTA is asking for help so travel companies can better support travellers disrupted by Covid-19. It is requesting HM Treasury relax current furlough rules to allow travel staff to help tackle a growing backlog of queries from customers seeking assistance following the Foreign Office’s advice against all but essential travel abroad. Luke Petherbridge, ABTA head of public affairs, said the scheme has provided a lifeline to travel companies, but, “the existing rules are overly restrictive and ABTA urges ministers to relax the requirement which prevents furloughed staff from carrying out even non-revenue raising duties. Travel agents and tour operators are much needed right now, to assist with the disruption Covid-19 has caused travellers. Enabling these staff to go back to work will provide immediate benefits to customers whose holidays have been affected”.

A number of tourist boards have launched webinar and training programmes for travel agents during the lockdown. Black Diamond, the travel representation and PR agency, has launched sessions covering a range of its client destinations, such as Colorado, Seattle, Pittsburgh, Tahiti and California, on a platform built by Mogul, its sister company. The destination webinars will begin on May 6 at 11am. Brand USA representatives are taking agents on a weekly virtual road trip to discover the USA’s must-see places on different self-drive itineraries from Brand USA’s Insider Guides, part of the Brand USA website for the travel trade. Malta has also launched a webinar programme for travel agents comprising eight themes – Maltese islands, adventure, scuba diving, wellness, luxury, gastronomy, history and weddings. Agents can register via Malta’s online travel agent training platform to participate in an introduction and “Meet the Suppliers” webinar sessions each month. Training commences in May 2020 with the planned webinar training sessions running until December 2020. ABTAmag.com

Continued from page 10 Many cruise ships were forced to take circuitous routes back to land, with ports refusing access to even those free of confirmed cases of Covid-19 or guests displaying flu-like symptoms. In late March, Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford accused countries of turning their backs on thousands of people “left floating at sea”. In a video message, he called for “compassion and grace” after four people died from Covid-19 on the Zaandam. US president Donald Trump intervened to allow Holland America Line’s Zaandam

ABTAmag.com

and Rotterdam and Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess to dock in the US after Florida governor Ron DeSantis said guests could not be “dumped” in his state, dismissing those on board as mostly “foreigners”. Cruise & Maritime Voyages had to perform a remarkable mid-ocean transfer between two of its ships, Columbus and Vasco da Gama, after it was denied access into Thailand. Columbus undertook a 7,842-nautical-mile voyage back to the UK with 907 guests – including 602 British nationals – and 619 crew members on board, arriving in Tilbury on April 13.

Cuba offered a haven to Braemar, the Fred Olsen ship, after several other Caribbean countries declined to let it dock. Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, said he wanted to “reinforce healthcare, solidarity and international cooperation”. The UK Foreign Office now says it has completed the repatriation of 19,180 UK cruise passengers. This includes 78 British nationals on Princess Cruises’ Diamond Princess, which was docked in Japan; 669 British nationals on Fred Olsen’s Braemar in Cuba; and 211 Britons on the Zaandam and Rotterdam ships.

May 2020 11

Look and book ahead Whether it’s a safari across the great plains of Africa or a rail journey through the Rocky Mountains, there is a world of choice out there with Saga. Saga has been creating incredible holidays – designed especially for the over 50s – for almost 70 years. During that time, the company has tailored its offering, perfecting it with inclusions that are known and loved by customers, including a VIP door-to-door travel service on long-haul holidays and river cruises, optional travel insurance and a money-back guarantee if your clients don’t love their holiday. What’s not to like?

Croatian dreams

If your clients are looking for something a little closer to home, why not book them on a Jewels of Croatia tour? This 14-night break sees guests explore the highlights of this Mediterranean gem, from Split, with its ancient palaces and cathedrals to Brac, a sleepy island paradise. Travellers will be able to sample the renowned local wine on an optional excursion or visit the medieval town of Dubrovnik, with the cobbled streets of the Old Town overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

From roads to rail

After a turbulent start to 2020, your clients are going to want to embrace travel in 2021 – and Saga offers tours to every corner of the globe. Why not try offering them something off the beaten track? Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Road is a ten-night tour of the Central Asian country. Exploring the ancient cities of Tashkent and Khiva, Saga takes your client on a journey past towering minarets and turquoise domes before travelling through the Red Desert, where traders used to lead their silk-laden camels. Rail enthusiasts will love The Great Indian Rail Journey, a 15-night tour of northern India taking in the likes of Jaipur, Agra and Chandigarh, where travellers can board the famous Toy Train, part of the Unesco World Heritage Site of the Mountain Railways of India. This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure – and the perfect chance to travel the vast country in the best way possible: by locomotive. Overall, guests will take six memorable train journeys across the country as they explore some of India’s most famous sites, including the majestic Taj Mahal.

Solo tours and specialist holidays

There is also a wide range of tours exclusive to solo travellers – whether your client wants to enjoy a little independence, needs their own room when travelling with a friend or just wants to explore a dream destination that a partner has already visited. One example is a solo tour of Costa Rica. Your client will travel in a group of fellow solo travellers no bigger than 25 people, keeping it nice and intimate. Everything is taken care of: your client will be picked up at their door, fast-tracked through airport security and given lounge access. When in Costa Rica they’re met at the airport by a member of the Saga team before heading off to enjoy the lush rainforests of one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. If you’ve got a group or society with a special interest, then why not talk to one of Saga’s trade team about the possibilities? There are birdwatching holidays in Costa

Blanca or walking holidays in Montenegro. One of Saga’s most popular types of themed holidays are those specialising in gardens. Whether it’s a short four-night break seeing the gardens of Dorset or travelling a little farther and walking among the Moorish and Modern Gardens of Spain, there is plenty of choice available to budding horticulturalists. Saga’s holidays cater specifically for the over-50s market. However, that doesn’t mean that all of its tours are the same. Know your client’s mobility level and make sure you choose a tour that’s right for them, based on Saga’s ratings. Tours with a 1 rating are designed for those with less mobility. Any walking will be at a leisurely pace for no more than a few hours and travel between hotels will always be limited to shorter journeys. Tours marked as 2 will have more walking involved, sometimes on challenging terrain, but the itineraries are designed to offer plenty of options each and every day. Category 3 tours require a higher level of fitness and mobility. These are typically walking holidays, which can sometimes be on difficult terrain and at altitude. It will also be important that your client is comfortable getting in and out of different modes of transport, including 4x4s and boats. Whoever your client, they will want to embrace travel in 2021 and you want them to book with an operator you can trust.

Why Saga? Inspiring itineraries and included extras

Saga’s team of holiday experts has scanned the globe for the best destinations and taken care of every detail, so your customers can make the most of their time on holiday. Many of the prices include tourist visas, hold baggage (even on low-cost airlines) and a VIP door-to-door travel service. In addition, all our holidays include excursions and visits to must-see sights, optional travel insurance and an experienced Tour Manager. Saga Tour Managers help guests get the most out of the places they visit, sharing local knowledge and arranging activities that immerse them in the destination. They’ll accompany guests throughout their tour, making sure their holiday runs smoothly – from organising porterage of their luggage at each hotel to creating a sociable and inclusive atmosphere within the group.

VIP door-to-door service

Your customers can enjoy a hassle-free start and end to their holidays with our VIP door-to-door travel service, which is included on all long-haul holidays. We’ll pick your customers up from anywhere in the UK and take them to and from the airport. Or if they prefer to take the train or drive themselves, we’ll arrange complimentary rail travel or airport parking.

Travel insurance

Optional travel insurance is included in the price of Saga holidays and includes cover for more than 400 pre-existing medical conditions. If your customers are already covered and wish to opt-out of our travel insurance, a deduction can be made to their holiday price. Saga travel insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch. Cover is subject to some medical questions.

Money-back guarantee

You and your customers can book with confidence thanks to Saga’s money-back guarantee. Customers can book their first Saga holiday with peace of mind, knowing that if during the first 48 hours of their holiday they don’t think it’s for them, we’ll bring them home free-of-charge and refund the cost of their holiday. There’s only one way to discover what makes Saga holidays so good, and that’s by joining one!

ABTA Ask the expert

Ask the expert Do you have a burning question you can’t find the answer to? Be it travel trends, a regulatory riddle or destination dilemmas, send us your query for an expert response

Can I improve remote working for my staff? The current coronavirus pandemic has forced me to shut down my high street shop. This has caused me many serious logistical problems, plus my staff are feeling increasingly isolated, although we do our best to keep in contact. Are there things I could have done better to prepare or things I can still do now to improve matters? Anon

D E S C LO

I can give you some examples of what we’ve done and are doing at ABTA, which hopefully will be of use. We have worked hard over the years at ABTA to make sure that if the office were unavailable, for any number of reasons, we would be able to carry out most of our business activity remotely. Staff would either work from home or from a secondary location at a partner’s office. We also moved to a cloud-based telephone system so people can have handsets at home, or an app on their mobile, to continue answering calls unimpeded. Built into our plan is an understanding that there would be some things that are not available, or possible, for the duration of the incident, but, what we’ve actually managed to do is displace the whole company and provide a near complete level of service to our colleagues and members. The first thing we had to think about before we started sending people home was what they were going to use to access the system. About half of the ABTA team already use laptops in the office to support our agile working environment, so these have access to our VPN, but that meant ensuring the other half were able to work on their own equipment or we had to hand out some spare laptops that we had in the office. Next, we had to think about whether the screen size of their laptop was “good enough” or if we would need to give them the monitor from their desks to take or send home. Then there are considerations about the space people have at home and whether that’s even suitable to work in. We were able to expand our remote desktop infrastructure, giving people near to normal access to the system, but what we hadn’t accounted for was the inbound bandwidth limitations on our firewall. We had major speed and reliability issues. Fortunately, our internet service provider has put together a special package to temporarily expand the bandwidth and throughput of our firewall. After all of this, you need to be sure that your people can stay in touch with each other. The unexpected saviour for us has been Microsoft Teams. We have daily conversations in our teams, weekly huddles with the management team and even quiz nights. You have to remember: it’s good to talk!

Mark McDonald, senior IT Manager

14 May 2020

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Meet the team Each issue we speak to an ABTA employee about their work. This time: Angie Hills, head of destinations

aving worked in the travel industry for many years, I have been involved in managing and providing support to customers and ABTA members on a large number of significant crises and operational incidents. Such situations can have a devastating impact on individuals, travel organisers and destinations. Over the years, natural disasters, such as the Boxing Day tsunami and the Icelandic ash cloud, and previous epidemics and pandemics, such as SARS, Ebola, Zika virus and MERS, have all caused significant disruption and challenges for ABTA members, customers and the local people in the countries affected. However, the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen global travel restrictions temporarily shut down the travel industry and its associated suppliers worldwide, is unique for all concerned. The ABTA destinations team has been monitoring Covid-19 since January 7, when we issued our first operational bulletin regarding Wuhan in China, where the virus originated. We have since issued more than 100 Covid-19 updates to provide members with the latest information and advice from a variety of sources, including the UK government, destination governments and the World Health Organization, and share ABTAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Covid-19 guidance and legal advice. Initially, the management of cases of Covid-19 was uncharted territory and members needed guidance on what to do if there were suspected or confirmed cases in a property where they had customers residing. We consulted Public Health England and the National Travel Health Network and Centre on the measures that should be introduced and prepared a guidance note to assist them. These measures, along with the advice of local public health authorities, played a part in the critical response taken by the industry to manage the unfolding situation. Collaboration in these circumstances is key and we asked members to keep us informed if they were advised of cases within hotels. This information was then shared with other members who used these properties. One particular hotel in the Canary Islands received widespread media attention after a small group of Italian holidaymakers tested positive for Covid-19, causing the entire hotel and hundreds of holidaymakers to be placed under quarantine restrictions. Members, the hotelier and their staff were exceptional in their support to those affected by the situation. We worked closely with our members, the British Embassy, Public Health England and the local authorities to help achieve a suitable resolution, so that customers could be repatriated in a manner that reduced the risk for those affected, as well as other customers and transport suppliers and associated staff. Among the many challenges facing members has been the need to repatriate hundreds of thousands of customers overseas due to the UK governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice against all but essential travel. Members commenced a systematic repatriation effort, which was hampered by airlines cancelling flight schedules and, in some cases, grounding their entire fleets. We put out a call to members to let us know where they had customers overseas and provide passenger numbers for those who were struggling due to flight cancellations, border closures or transiting restrictions. We also

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encouraged British nationals overseas to register with the local embassy or consulate to be made aware of any return flight options or local restrictions. The information received was collated by country and shared with our colleagues at the FCO to assist them in any planning support measures that could be introduced and help prioritise where commercial or UK special flights were required. We have issued a large number of operational bulletins to members highlighting where commercial or UK special flight services are available to assist with repatriation. In addition, as details of these services become available, we are directly contacting members that provided passenger numbers to advise them of these flight options. Peru was one country where it quickly became clear that there were many customers experiencing serious difficulties in obtaining return flights. We discussed the challenges with members who had customers affected and liaised with the FCO on their behalf to highlight the scale of the problems and the challenges faced. The UK government subsequently chartered a number of UK special flights to help bring these customers back to the UK. The global repatriation effort continues, and our members are working tirelessly to bring their customers home under very difficult circumstances. This effort should be recognised and applauded. It is unclear when the UK global travel restriction will be lifted, but once it is removed, it is highly likely that destinations may be at different stages of the pandemic and therefore destinations will continue to make decisions around their own restrictions and health requirements. We will continue to liaise with industry partners including the FCO, UNWTO, ECTAA, CTO, tourist boards and destination authorities. This collaboration is invaluable and helps us obtain updates on the measures being introduced, which can be passed on to members to assist them in making business decisions regarding their destination programmes. To support the industry and help suppliers in their post Covid-19 recovery plans, we are preparing a supplement to complement the current ABTA health and safety technical guide. This publication will provide practical guidance on the measures suppliers should consider as part of the recovery process. The ABTA destinations team plays an important role, but we are just one part of the ABTA team which, as a whole, is working tirelessly to provide support and assistance to members and their customers. It is an extraordinary time for the travel industry and I am proud to be part of the ABTA team, working with our members to safeguard their customers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and the future of travel. ABTA.com

May 2020 15

Cancellations

Coronavirus: cancellation policies Details of temporary changes to cancellation policies are as follows: TOUR OPERATORS Exsus Travel Guests who have made bookings between March 12 and April 30, 2020, including travel dates up to February 28, 2021, will have amendment and cancellation fees waived. Clients will only be required to cover the cost of any airline, hotel or other third-party supplier charge if applicable. G Adventures G Adventures has suspended all tours departing between March 16 and June 30, 2020. Any traveller booked on a tour departing between those dates will be eligible for a 110 per cent travel credit of all land services, including pre or post nights and transfers, which can be used on any tour departing within the next two years. Gold Medal / Travel 2 Agents booking new packages this month (March) with either tour operator will be able to amend or cancel their package holiday booking at no charge. If Only If Only guests who book between March 10 and March 31, 2020 have the flexibility to cancel if their circumstances change. Intrepid Intrepid Group is suspending Intrepid Travel and Peregrine Adventures tours globally from March 16 until May 31, 2020. Customers booked to travel on an Intrepid Travel or Peregrine Adventures tour during this time will receive a credit valued at 110 per cent, which will be valid for two years. Kuoni Kuoni said: “Anyone booked onto a Kuoni holiday which is due to depart in the next three weeks, the team at Kuoni will contact people to discuss their options. The

16 May 2020

Kuoni team is working through customers’ holidays in order of departure date. If anyone has a holiday booked which is due to depart in more than three weeks’ time and people wish to amend your booking to travel at a later date, then use the following email : support@kuoni.co.uk. All emails will be responded to as quickly as possible.” Premier Holidays Guests booked before May 31, 2020 can delay their holidays until 11 weeks before their original departure date and rebook their trip for a date within 11 months. Riviera Travel Riviera has suspended its river cruise and tours programme up to and including April 23, 2020. Any customers departing up to and including April 23 have the option of a full refund. Any holidays departing after this date will be subject to the relevant cancellation charges. Rocky Mountaineer Rocky Mountaineer has suspended all train departures until July 1. Guests who were booked on suspended departures will receive travel credit of 110 per cent of the value paid that can be used until the end of 2022. Saga Saga Holidays will not be operating until June 1, 2020. The company has introduced a new Peace of Mind policy that enables customers to postpone their departure and transfer onto another holiday. It is offering £100pp off any river cruise, ocean cruise partner or European holiday or £200pp off any long-haul holiday. It will also offer a full refund if customers choose not to rebook. Shearings The company has introduced UK Flexi Holidays, where customers can amend

their departure date free of charge up to two weeks prior to departure. The deal is valid on bookings based at any of its 43 Bay, Coast & Country or Country Living Hotels across the UK. Titan Titan has suspended all touring and cruise departures up to 01 June 2020. All travellers affected will be issued with a Refund Credit Note which can be used to rebook their holiday with the following discount options under Titan’s ‘Peace Of Mind’ policy, with no cancellation or amendment fee:£50pp off any UK short break: £125pp off any river cruise or European tour (excluding UK short breaks); £200pp off any ocean or long-haul tour. A refund process is also available. If customers don’t use their Refund Credit Note by 31 July 2020, they’ll be entitled to request a full monetary refund. CRUISE LINES A-Rosa A-Rosa River Cruises has suspended all its cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Douro up to and including May 7, 2020. In a statement, A-Rosa said: “We are currently liaising with all our tour operator and travel agency partners to provide them with all the latest information for their customers. We are offering free rebooking to a later date in either the 2020 or 2021 season and guests will receive an additional onboard credit of €50 per person. They will also receive a special discount of 30 per cent off a future A-Rosa cruise.” AmaWaterways AmaWaterways has suspended operations until June 30, 2020. Guests who were booked on a cruise that is being cancelled have the option of receiving a future cruise credit, equal to 115 per cent of the value of all services purchased through

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AmaWaterways, or a full monetary refund. The future cruise credit is applicable on all European or Mekong river cruise sailings any time before December 31, 2022.

the day, including the current 2021 buyone-get-one-free offers and 2020 late-saver deals.

APT Touring APT is suspending cruises until May 31, 2020. APT said its future holiday credit is equal to 100 per cent of the value of the booking if paid in full. If not paid in full, the deposit will be held in credit with no fees. Credit is valid for travel on any APT or Travelmarvel tour or cruise up until the end of 2021. Credit can be used for multiple bookings if desired for the original traveller. Credit can be partly transferred to a person accompanying clients on the alternative trip. It is not transferable to another person, nor is it redeemable for cash.

Crystal Crystal has suspended all ocean, river and yacht sailings until the end of June. Crystal is offering a 100 per cent refund of cruise fare, port charges, taxes and fees paid, and any air and hotel packages booked through Crystal, or a future cruise credit equal to 125 per cent of the cruise fare paid – valid on any Crystal experience embarking until December 31, 2022 – along with a refund of port charges, taxes and fees, and air and hotel packages booked through Crystal. If guests are unable to redeem the future cruise credit by December 31, 2022, they may request a refund of the original cruise fare paid.

Celestyal Celestyal has suspended all cruises between now and June 29, 2020. In a statement, the line said: “For all named and fully paid guests impacted by this temporary suspension, Celestyal will offer the choice of either a future cruise credit valued at 120 per cent of original booking value or a refund of original amount paid. Guests will have until the end of December 2021 to use their credit against any of our itineraries. Anyone that has not used their credit within the specified period, will automatically receive a refund equal to the original amount paid to Celestyal.” CroisiEurope CroisiEurope has postponed all Europe cruises until May 16, 2020. In a statement, the line said: “Our passengers who are impacted by these changes will receive full credit and be able to apply this credit to a cruise at a future date and, in addition, receive a voucher for £150 per person for a future cruise (booked on individual basis). “For all new bookings made between March 16 and May 1, 2020 for all departures until August 31, 2020, our passengers may cancel free of charge up to 30 days from their departure date (excluding booking fees and any ancillary charges).” Cruise & Maritime Voyages Cruise & Maritime Voyages has suspended all cruises until May 24, 2020. All affected passengers will be offered a future cruise credit of 125 per cent of the value of their cruise, plus added value benefits. The credit can be used against the best deal of

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Cunard & P&O Cruises P&O Cruises and Cunard have extended their cancellations until July 31. Guests with a holiday booked on either line up to and including July 31 this year will automatically receive a 125 per cent future cruise credit (FCC). FCCs may be used for any sailing up to the end of March 2022. Emerald Waterways/Scenic The Scenic Group (Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises) has announced it will suspend all river cruise operations until June 30, 2020, as part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Glen Moroney, Scenic Group owner said: “With the news of increasing virus cases in countries around the world, the health and safety of guests and crew is our primary focus. We will continue to ensure they come first and foremost in all our decisions.” For guests whose river cruise departures are within this period of suspended operations, the Scenic Group is offering the choice of either a future travel credit valued at 125 per cent of the booking, or the option of a refund to the value of the amount paid. Guests choosing a future travel credit will have up to 24 months to travel on a Scenic Group river cruise. Guests with a departure on or after June 1, 2020 can transfer their booking to an alternate departure without penalty up to 30 days prior to departure. Fred Olsen Cruise Line Fred Olsen Cruise Line has suspended its operations indefinitely and cancelled the

first five sailings on board Brabant, the line’s river ship. The line’s managing director, Peter Deer, said in a statement: “At this stage I am not able to confirm a date when we can expect to resume normal operations, as what I don’t want to do is set an expectation and not be able to deliver what we promise. “What I can say is that we are keeping a very close eye on the latest guidance from the relevant authorities, including the UK government and Public Health England, as well as overseas policies. “We are very clear on our position that we will not resume cruising until we know that it is safe for us to do so. The safety of our guests and crew is always our utmost priority, and this is especially true now. All guests on affected cruises will be notified with at least 30 days’ notice before their cruise was due to depart. “It is regrettable that we won’t be welcoming guests back on board at the end of May as we had initially hoped, but we can’t wait to start sailing again as soon as the world is ready for us to do so.” The line has updated its Booking Reassurance Guarantee, so that it extends to all cruises departing in 2020. Guests can transfer to any 2020/21/22 cruise by giving at least 14 days notice prior to departure. G Adventures G Adventures has suspended all tours until June 30, 2020. This excludes the Norwegian Expedition departure – Norwegian Arctic Encompassed on May 29, 2020. Any traveller booked on a tour departing between those dates will be eligible for a 110 per cent travel credit of all land services, including pre or post nights and transfers, which can be used on any tour departing within the next two years. Hurtigruten All guests booked on cruises between March 12 and June 30, 2020 can rebook their cruise for free on any coastal or expedition sailing between July 1, 2020 and July 1, 2021. Rebooked cruises will receive a ten per cent discount on top of the 100 per cent cruise fee. If clients booked their flights through Hurtigruten, the voucher also covers flights. Marella Cruises Marella Cruises has suspended all cruises until May 31, 2020.

May 2020 17

Cancellations

In a statement the line said: “all customers affected will be proactively notified and automatically issued a full refund.” MSC Cruises MSC Cruises has suspended all sailings until July 10, 2020. MSC Cruises UK & Ireland is offering guests affected by the cancellations a future cruise credit of 125 per cent to be used on a future cruise through to the end of 2021.

its Cruise with Confidence offer to departures up to July 31, 2020, allowing guests to cancel up to 48 hours before sailing. They will receive a future cruise credit to the value of the cancellation fee. The line has also extended its offer of a 60day final payment date. For cruises departing between August 1 and October 15, 2020, guests can cancel up to 30 days before sailing and receive a future cruise credit to the amount of their cancellation fee.

Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania & Regent The three Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd brands have suspended operations until June 30, 2020. “The safety, security and well-being of our guests and crew is our highest priority. With Covid-19 impacting communities around the globe, we have enacted a voluntary temporary suspension of cruise voyages across our brands effective immediately,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “We understand the inconvenience that this disruption may cause our guests and travel partners during these quickly evolving and challenging times, and we appreciate their understanding as we partner with local, state, federal and global agencies to combat the spread of Covid-19.”

Riviera Travel Riviera has suspended all holidays until April 23, 2020. In a statement, the company said: “If our mutual customers are departing before this date you will receive a email asking you to contact our reservations team on 01283 744370 to discuss their options. With the situation changing all the time we are monitoring it closely and will update further accordingly.”

Paul Gauguin Paul Gauguin has cancelled sailings up until June 5, 2020. Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering a future cruise credit valid for 18 months.

Saga Saga has suspended its ocean cruises onboard Saga Sapphire and Spirit of Discovery until June 1, 2020. Passengers booked during this period are being offered a future cruise credit of the value of the cruise plus 25 per cent. Alternatively, they can receive a voucher for this amount to be redeemed against any future Saga cruise. This future cruise credit will last for a period of 24 months. If for any reason passengers are unable to use the future cruise credit, Saga will automatically issue a refund equal to the original amount paid for the cruise when the voucher expires. Alternatively, Saga can issue a refund in full, equal to the amount paid.

Ponant Ponant has suspended cruises until at least May 15, 2020. In a statement, the line said: “New bookings made on sailings departing in 2020 will only require a ten per cent deposit. Guests may cancel up to 30 days prior to departure without penalty. Additionally, for new bookings on 2020, 2021 and 2022 sailings, guests may cancel up to 90 days after confirmation and receive a full refund or a future cruise credit. “For existing bookings, final payment is relaxed by 30 days. For example, if final payment was due 60 days before departure, it is now due 30 days before.” Princess Cruises Princess Cruises has suspended operations until May 10, 2020. The line has extended

18 May 2020

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd: Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, TUI Cruises and Pullmantur Royal Caribbean Cruises, which operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea has extended its cruise suspensions until at least June 11, 2020.

Seabourn Seabourn has cancelled all cruises due to depart up until June 30, 2020. Seabourn guests on affected voyages will receive a 125 per cent refund of the fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit, which can be used towards any future cruise through

December 31, 2021 Guests due to sail before July 31, 2020 can now cancel up to 48 hours before sailing and receive a future cruise credit. The credit will be 100 per cent of any payment already made. Viking Viking has suspended all ocean and river cruises until May 1, 2020. In a statement, Tor Hagen, the company’s chairman said: “For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a future cruise voucher valued at 125 per cent of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. “Guests will have 24 months to use their future cruise voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These future cruise vouchers will also be fully transferable.” Virgin Virgin Voyages has delayed its showcase tour and inaugural season until July 15, with its maiden voyage taking place on August 7, 2020. The company is offering various options for those already booked – from full refunds and voyage credits to “extra special bonuses for those who book future sailings”. Windstar Windstar has temporarily suspended its operations until June 30, 2020. Guests on cancelled cruises receive the choice of a future cruise credit valued at 125 per cent of all monies paid to Windstar Cruises or a refund equal to the amount paid on the Windstar booking. Guests have 24 months to book and embark on any available Windstar cruise using their future cruise credit. In addition, Windstar has launched a new Travel Assurance Booking Policy, which is applicable to new and existing cruises departing through December 31, 2021. Travellers who cancel a cruise booking up to 15 days prior to departure will receive a 100 per cent future cruise credit to be used on another Windstar departure within one year of the issue date of the credit. The offer is for cruise fares only.

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Travel laws have changed - know your obligations.

A new guide has been released with key facts and helpful case studies to help you make sure your business complies with the latest holiday laws (including the 2018 Package Travel Regs). Business in Focus

Practical holiday law Guidance for business With key facts to make sure your business complies with the latest holiday laws (inc. 2018 Package Travel Regs)

This guide was produced as part of a business advice project by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute.

FREE TO ACCESS

Get your free copy today from Business Companion - the free governmentbacked website written by trading standards experts to help you understand the laws that affect your business.

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Travel is one of the world’s biggest industries – and it’s only going to get bigger. Globetrender offers bespoke trend forecasting and research services to inspire, inform and guide you in your decision-making. If you would like an individual consultation on how to ready yourself for the next decade, email editor and founder Jenny Southan jenny@globetrender.com. For news and features check out our online magazine globetrender.com and sign up for our newsletter.

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Comment WTTC

Safeguard travel Gloria Guevara, president and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, details three steps governments must take to protect travel and tourism

he travel and tourism sector is in a fight for its survival. Borders have closed. Skies have cleared. And hotels have closed their doors. These are extraordinary measures to combat an extraordinary virus. The travel industry has faced the threat of pandemics before. From the SARS outbreak in 2002 to Ebola just a few years ago, I have sobering first-hand experience of how devastating their effects can be. As former tourism minister for Mexico, I was closely involved in the country’s recovery effort following the H1N1

22 May 2020

influenza outbreak in 2009. The global economic impact cost our industry an estimated US$55 billion, with the Mexican tourism industry suffering a $5 billion loss. But the travel sector’s proven track record of resilience, to bounce back in times of crisis, has improved significantly in recent years. World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) analysis shows that between 2001 and 2018 the average recovery time from crises fell from 26 to ten months. Important lessons have been learned from previous pandemics, most crucially the need for public- and private-sector collaboration.

Indeed, I’ve been humbled by WTTC members and their dedicated employees going the extra mile to provide help under these difficult circumstances. The entire travel community has banded together to face the biggest global challenge in a generation. In the UK, furloughed cabin crew at TUI and British Airways came to the aid of the NHS, relieving key workers to free up their time to fight on the front line. Across the Atlantic, hotel giant Hilton teamed up with American Express to offer free rooms to more than one million healthcare professionals fighting the

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pandemic. Meanwhile, Carnival, the world’s largest cruise operator, offered up ships as floating hospitals to treat patients suffering from less-critical, non-Covid-19 related conditions. From global multinationals to SMEs, there are so many examples of kindness. This spirit of generosity shows just how incredible our people are at using their skills to help others. But travel and tourism itself cannot survive unaided. Covid-19 represents an unparalleled threat to the global economy, demanding an urgent response. That’s why WTTC called upon governments around the world, on behalf of the entire sector, to take three immediate measures to safeguard the future of travel. Firstly, to waive or defer all duty and taxes, which add unnecessary expense, and introduce flexible refund policies that protect travel agencies and future bookings. Secondly, for governments to

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extend unlimited interest-free loans to millions of businesses, large and small, as a stimulus to prevent them from collapse. And thirdly, grant financial help to workers who are facing severe economic pressures or unable to work. Travel, in particular, may require this support longer than other sectors. With a million jobs lost in travel and tourism in the UK alone, and up to 75 million at risk globally, this support must be immediate and unwavering. Any delay risks not only irreparable short-term damage but also hampers the global recovery effort. Our 2020 Economic Impact report underscores the critical role travel and tourism will play in kick-starting the UK economy once lockdown measures have been lifted. WTTC analysis shows travel and tourism was responsible for almost four million jobs in the UK in 2019 – 11 per cent of

the country’s total workforce. Travel and tourism also generated nearly £200 billion in GDP, equating to nine per cent of the UK economy, which grew 1.3 per cent last year. This huge contribution is why it is imperative that critical measures are put in place to protect this essential, job-creating sector. Wanderlust hasn’t faded. Nor has the unceasing capacity of the travel and tourism sector to go the extra mile. And we are certain that the desire to travel will be stronger than ever post Covid-19. Our travel experts and particularly travel agencies will play a vital role as trusted advisers to lead the bounceback of our sector. We will get through this. But the travel sector needs an unprecedented level of support for an unprecedented crisis – not only to ensure its immediate survival, but to unlock the potential of travel and tourism to power the fastest possible recovery.

May 2020 23

Business travel Future New business of business class travel seats

Getting back on the road

Business Travel Report

The (flight) path ahead for business travel is uncertain, but some industry insiders are hopeful of rapid recovery post-pandemic

n just a couple of months, our entire world has been turned upside down. We’ve been grounded, quarantined at home and forced to conduct our work through video calls. The travel industry is in crisis – airline networks are flying skeleton operations, and hotels and airports are empty. As we are all very much aware, the Covid-19 pandemic is causing immense damage to our lives and economies, and it can feel overwhelming. As companies switch to survival mode, there is, nevertheless, a good dose of optimism, determination and pragmatism out there, which we can learn from. What do the experts think? Kurt Ekert, president and CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, said in a statement: “Business travel is one of the first industries to recover from global interruptions, and we will be there when things improve to support our customers’ needs and as an industry leader.” ABTA Magazine caught up with industry insiders to ask for their thoughts. Tristan Smith, vice-president of customer success at Egencia, says: “We strongly believe that where there’s life, there’s travel – and that

24 May 2020

will still ring true after this pandemic. Once travel restrictions ease, we are confident that we can provide all our customers the full support they need to reshape and re-launch their travel programmes using our data, insights and support teams to give customers and travellers the peace of mind they need.” She adds: “Business travel is a strategic lever for organisations to grow, and we expect businesses post Covid-19 to be focused on getting back on the road as quickly and safely as possible to get their business back to ‘normal’. We know business travel is hugely resilient, as are we. The sector won’t witness a dramatic recovery overnight, and it will take some time to restore, but we will emerge from it better, wiser and stronger.” Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that in addition to loss of life, there will be commercial casualties too. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry could face US$113 billion in revenue losses (this is a fifth of overall revenues in 2019) as global flight capacity is slashed.

by Jenny Southan, business travel editor

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And this could increase further still, with the expectation that some airlines won’t see the skies again when all of this is over, unless they receive government bailouts or are acquired by competitors. Concerned about a prolonged ban on travel, British Airways chief executive Alex Cruz released a statement in March entitled, “The Survival of British Airways”. In it, he says: “Airlines with a weak balance sheet or carrying large debts face a dire situation.” Although he reminds people that BA is “more financially resilient than ever before”, it is “under immense pressure” – in part, because of the curtailing of business travel by corporate clients. Whether or not it would be looking for support from the government (see ABTA’s Save Future Travel campaign, pX), the UK chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak, says there won’t be an industry-wide bailout to airlines and airports (instead it will provide “bespoke support” on a caseby-case basis). At the beginning of April, Rolls-Royce and Airbus began lobbying the government to provide Virgin Atlantic with £500 million in state aid. By this point, it had reduced its schedules down to just three routes from London Heathrow – to Hong Kong, Los Angeles and New York JFK – and none from Gatwick, Manchester, Glasgow or Belfast. What’s the prognosis for the airline? Lee Haslett, vice-president of UK and European sales for Virgin Atlantic, tells ABTA Magazine: “The rapid acceleration of Covid-19 has resulted in a temporary but significant downturn in business travel. However, when the world emerges from Covid-19 and normal operations resume, business travel is going to be a vital part of the economic recovery in the months that follow. “Connectivity [is vital] to help multinational companies seize new opportunities, allow SMEs to reach international markets again, and re-establish the high-value professional ties that only in-person contact can truly foster – as helpful as a Zoom video call might be during these difficult times.” He adds: “For Virgin Atlantic’s corporate customers, our role now is to provide timely and accurate information,

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for instance keeping them informed about our rigorous cleaning operation on board or how we’re extending silver and gold loyalty status while they’re unable to fly, so that when governments relax travel restrictions, the public health risk subsides globally and the gradual resurgence in business travel takes place, they have the confidence to travel. “The health and well-being of our people and customers always comes first, and while many corporate travel policies remain strict, Virgin Atlantic is committed to providing as much flexibility as possible so that business trips can be rebooked at a later date – with the change fee waived – right up until April 30, 2021.” Adaptability, in short, is vital. Martin Ferguson, vice president of public affairs for American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), tells us: “There are too many unknowns for anyone to predict how long the situation will last. We are continuously monitoring events and data, and seeing very few new bookings, along with many cancelled and postponed meetings and events. We hope to see some recovery later this year, but need to be prepared for significantly reduced volumes through the balance of 2020. “We have helped hundreds of thousands of travellers with rebooking, cancellations, refunds and repatriation, and this will keep happening as travel starts and stops over the coming months. There will be a ‘new normal’, with an expectation for disruption and uncertainty. “We expect the business travel experience will look somewhat different during the recovery, particularly in the early days. For example, some of the measures being taken by the Chinese government – such as international flights to Beijing being diverted into 12 secondary cities as first points of entry for screening and quarantine, before being rerouted back to Beijing. “However, GBT’s message to clients is that while the Covid-19 crisis has had an unprecedented impact on our industry, we can draw confidence from the pattern of history: business travel is a force for good, demand will return and we are confident that we, along with our airline and hotel partners, will be ready when it does.”

May 2020 25

SHARM EL SHEIKH RED SEA THIS IS RUSH HOUR

WHERE IT ALL BEGINS WWW.EGYPT.TRAVEL

The Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, situated at the southern point of the Sinai, has some of the world’s most celebrated diving attractions around its shores. The worldfamous Ras Mohammed National Park is located at the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula where deep water upwellings generate incredible coral growth, particularly on the signature sites of Shark and Yolanda Reefs.

During the summer months this area is also a hotspot for schooling snapper, barracuda, batfish and unicorn fish. Marine encounters recorded by divers on these life-filled sites also include whale sharks, manta rays and dolphins. Head north from Ras Mohammed to the Strait of Tiran and you will find a coral garden described by scuba diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau as one of the most spectacular reefs he had ever seen. The steep-sided walls of Jackson Reef are where you will find some of the most beautiful coral cover in the Sinai region, including the famous rare red anemone. Strong currents,

most profuse at the edge of Jackson Reef, attract an abundance of pelagic fish particularly during the summer months. In the less wind-swept and calm days of summer, boats are able to dive the north side of the reef. Although far from guaranteed, the chance to see the resident school of scalloped hammerhead sharks is well worth a dive in the blue water. Wrecks are also a major pull for visitors, with one of the most famous sunken diving attractions located just a few hours’ boat ride from Sharm. Voted time over as one of the best wreck dives, the Thistlegorm alone attracts scuba visitors from all over the world to the northern Egyptian Red Sea resort. If you don’t want to travel far to a dive site, or like the idea of half-day trips, you can opt to go local. Sharm’s local reefs are excellent for training and photography, and at the right time of year throw up their own spectacular surprises. From the months of May to September it is not unusual to spot the odd manta ray or whale shark passing by as they follow the plankton.

Join our online training course at http://www.egypt-ott.co.uk/

Artwork courtesy of divEr Magazine – www.divernet.com

Interview Paul Cooper

Paul Cooper Sydney Melbourne Touring Sam Ballard speaks to the marketing and business development manager for Sydney Melbourne Touring about overcoming unexpected crises in tourism

mages of the recent bush fires in Australia made headlines around the world. The footage showed blazing infernos and gave the impression of a country on fire. While the fires were indeed catastrophic – especially in areas like Kangaroo Island – the images didn’t tell the whole story and there were many areas left totally unaffected. The impact on tourism – even before the current Covid-19 crisis – was disastrous. So much so that Paul Cooper, marketing and business development manager for Sydney Melbourne Touring, took off along the Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive himself –

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live-streaming it around the world. The state of Victoria covers an area that is home to 30 per cent of all of Australia’s native species – within just three per cent of the country’s land mass – making the area perfect for spotting wildlife. It’s also very popular among British tourists. We caught up with Paul to find out why he undertook the journey and what he found along the way. TELL ME MORE ABOUT SYDNEY MELBOURNE TOURING… We are a not-for-profit marketing organisation that covers the touring route between Sydney and Melbourne, similar

to the Great Southern Touring Route. We get funding from local government and regional tourism boards, with Visit Victoria our largest partner. We promote self-drive holidays from Sydney to Melbourne and vice versa. The UK is our number one market, followed by Germany and the Netherlands. I’ve been doing this for 11 years and the Brits have been our number one market every year.

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WHY DO YOU THINK THE ROUTE IS SO POPULAR AMONG BRITS? It’s an incredible experience. You get to meet winemakers at their cellar door, or cheesemakers and other artisans. It’s an authentic experience. It’s also one of the most scenic environments when it comes to seeing wildlife in its natural habitat. There’s a kangaroo colony on Pebbly Beach which you can picnic around; you’ll see birdlife including lorikeets as you head into Victoria; and Raymond Island is famous for its koalas. It’s just a short ferry across and I’ve never seen fewer than 15 when I’ve visited. At Wilsons Promontory National Park you can see wombats, while penguins and seals are on Phillip Island. HOW DID THE BUSH FIRES AFFECT LOCAL TOURISM? One of the biggest issues was how long the fires were burning for. The ones in New South Wales started in November and in the National Park they began

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before Christmas. However, there were only a few people who were impacted by flame – about 18 per cent of the route was affected. That means that 82 per cent was left unaffected. Lakes Entrance was asked to evacuate – one of our partners was told to get out. But it’s important to remember that we have fires every year, just not to this extent. We had journalists standing in devastated parts of town when other parts were operating as normal. TELL ME MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE DRIVING THE ROUTE… The main reason was to find out more about the situation on the ground. I was getting such mixed reports. Communications were cut in certain areas and I was looking at state fire maps thinking that the damage was going to be terrible. I was also getting so many enquiries internationally, so I wanted to measure out the impact of the damage. The drive was an emotional roller coaster. We were seeing shops that were

devastated across the road from shops that were fully operational. That feeling of lend a hand – the community spirit – was very much palpable. HAD THE DAMAGE BEEN OVERBLOWN? I want to acknowledge that we did have some terrible fires but not to the extent that people think. So many areas were totally unaffected. So many of the wonderful experiences [were] still operating [before the Covid-19 outbreak]. When I did the drive the thing that most amazed me was the regrowth. It was only six weeks after, but the lush green coming out of the black trees was incredible. The other good story is that the local wildlife carers were going out and setting up food stations. Wombats have an incredible sense of smell, so people were doing aerial drops and keeping the water stations topped up. These things don’t usually make the headlines, but they’re such a positive story.

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Spotlight on

P&O Cruises

Spotlight on

P&O Cruises P&O president Paul Ludlow tells Sam Ballard why the brand has prospered over its 180-year history – and how it will continue to do so

his year was meant to be the biggest in P&O Cruises’ history. The line – which prides itself on offering “the best of British” – is part of the Carnival Corporation family – the biggest cruise conglomerate in the world. However, the safety of being in one of the largest companies in the world has failed to shield it from the Covid-19 pandemic and a virus that does not discriminate. Carnival’s share price fell by more than 60 per cent in March alone. The virus has put the world into lockdown and ensured that cruise ships stop sailing for months on end – not an ideal time for P&O Cruises to be launching the biggest ship in its history. “P&O cruises represents the best of Britain,” said president of P&O Cruises Paul Ludlow, speaking before the pandemic hit. “It always reflects the Britain of today. And I think that one of the reasons why we’ve been so successful is that we’ve always been able to dial into trends, consumer habits and people’s

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desires in order to reflect a holiday to them which they are going to enjoy.” As a company with more than 180 years of heritage, the fact that 2020 is arguably the most important in its history is no mean feat. However, that’s what happens when you plan to launch the biggest ship in your entire history: Iona. By any measure, Iona is big. At a massive 183,900 gross tonnes, it weighs more than the first five ships in P&O’s modern history combined – Arcadia, Uganda, Oriana, Canberra and Sea Princess – and takes a fair chunk of the second Arcadia, which launched in 1988. “Iona allows us to continue to be relevant,” says Ludlow. “It allows us to create stories to give people memories that they’re going to treasure.” At 5,200 passengers, Iona dwarfs P&O’s most recent ship, Britannia, which can handle up to 3,600 passengers. It will feature a host of new features including the SkyDome, a huge atrium that will combine daytime lounging by the pool with a space for evening entertainment

beneath the stars. It’s all about offering British passengers the chance to travel the world while enjoying their home comforts. Until recently, the timing seemed perfect. Last year, two million British passengers took a cruise for the first time. The milestone – which will become a high watermark for the industry after the months-long cancellation of cruises because of Covid-19 – is going to rely on the collective genius of cruise lines to not only bring past guests back, but get the elusive first-timers on board, too. For P&O Cruises and Iona, the launch has been peppered with brand partnerships aimed at drawing in new crowds, the biggest reveal of all being Gary Barlow as a brand ambassador. “It creates excitement for the sector, undoubtedly,” Ludlow says. “The cruise industry moves at a pace like no other. People are innovating, people are evolving in a way which continues to create incredible consumer excitement. The growth that the sector has seen in the past ten years has been like no other

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“We have absolute clarity of who we are as a brand” sector in the UK holiday market. And I think with the new ships that are coming online over the next three to five years, that growth will continue.” However, while innovation is crucial for the future of the industry, it goes hand in hand with offering a value proposition that few others can compete with, according to the P&O boss. “The value that guests get from a cruise holiday is like no other. And, because guests can trust us, they keep coming back. In the uncertain world that we live, people need certainty. And they want to go on holiday and trust that they’re going

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to get the return from their holiday that they need. And that’s why they choose P&O Cruises.” However, with the company’s inventory growing 55 per cent over the next five years – Iona will be followed by a sister ship in 2022 – one thing is clear: P&O will need the support of the trade to achieve that ambition, particularly after the coronavirus pandemic subsides. “The brand won’t be successful without front-line travel agents,” says Alex Delamere-White, vice president of sales & marketing at P&O Cruises. “So we need these travel agents to be advocates for the holiday.” Trade engagement has been a key component of travel brand sales strategies in recent years. Companies have become ever more inventive in their courtship of travel agents, from incentives to schemes that act as clubs – with benefits piling up the more agents engage, and ultimately sell. For P&O Cruises, that takes the form of Shine. Delamere-White explains: “It [Shine] is a programme where agents can become ambassadors of our brand. It has exceeded our expectations. Shine now has 14,500

members, which is incredible. Agents are all being rewarded and recognised. “We measure engagement by how many travel agents are registering their select price bookings. In 2019 it was 85 per cent. That means nine in ten bookings made by a travel agent are being rewarded. That has completely exceeded our expectations.” It will be crucial that P&O – and the wider industry – continues to engage agents as we pass through this crisis. The key to success for companies like P&O is to maintain the strength of their brand. Ludlow adds: “We have absolute clarity of who we are as a brand. We are the best of British. If you want to come on holiday with us, you absolutely know what you’re going to get and you know that you can count on it, because you can put your trust in P&O Cruises. “When the world is difficult, that’s when really strong brands can prosper. And that’s why I believe we’ve prospered, because we’ve got a rock solid brand that people trust.” In 180 years of history – through world wars and Brexit – this could be P&O’s toughest challenge yet.

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City Guide

Split

City Guide

Split Stuart Forster explores the bustling passageways and courtyards of Split’s Old Town, home to film sets, wineries and thousands of years of history

any movies and television shows are filmed here,” says Spomenka Saraga, whose production company, Balduči Film, works across Croatia. We’re in Split, the country’s second city, and she introduces me to crew members packing cameras and lighting gear into padded boxes at the end of their working day. We shake hands by a pedestal topped by a stylised stone lion sculpture that may well be a legacy of Venetian rule. The big cat’s time-worn mane looks to me more like a thickly knitted balaclava than a wild animal’s natural hair. I follow the improbably dressed creature’s gaze out into the peristyle, a courtyard flanked by Corinthian columns and marble walls that looks much like a roofless church. We’re standing within Diocletian’s Palace, a vast complex that was built more than 1,700 years ago as a spacious

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retirement home for a Roman emperor. The men I’ve just met explain they’re filming a period drama and worked here previously on Game of Thrones, the hit series whose Croatian locations attract many holidaymakers. Palaces, by their nature, tend to be grand. Even so, I hadn’t anticipated the enormity of this sprawling Unesco World Heritage Site. There were few indications of its scale outside on the Riva, the broad esplanade running between the ancient landmark’s southern wall and Split’s harbourfront. Ice cream parlours, cafés and restaurants operate within the palace walls. After nightfall both locals and tourists stroll under Riva’s palm trees and angled street lamps. The tiered bell tower of the Cathedral of St Domnius makes me think of an elongated wedding cake. Like so many of the facades in Split’s Old Town, it’s

Where to stay Budget

The Stambuk is one of the many guest houses offering inexpensive B&B accommodation in Split’s Old Town. Double rooms from £46.

Mid-range

Hotel Neva offers a seafront base with 29 rooms and a pool in Podstrana, 20 minutes’ drive from Split. Double rooms from £114.

High end

Hotel Vestibul Palace is a boutique property with chic rooms within Diocletian’s Palace and a fine-dining restaurant. Double rooms start from £185.

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Pictured

Above: The sun rising over Riva Harbour; Below: Split’s Bell Tower resides within Diocletian’s Palace, a vast complex that’s more than 1,700 years old

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fashioned from white stone. I don’t have a head for heights and clanking up the metal staircase inside the tower’s stonework shell tests my nerves. The reward from the octagonal upper level is outstanding views over the terracotta tiles of rooftops in the city centre and out over the sun-dappled water of the shimmering Adriatic. In the mid-distance a gently sloping hill rises above the city. Heavily wooded, it is the highest point of Marjan Forest Park. Earlier in the day I jogged along broad footpaths within the park, bounding up steps and past stonebuilt medieval chapels whose dainty, unpretentious facades reminded me more of rustic holiday cottages than typical

places of worship. At the end of my run I crunched along the pebbles on Kašjuni Beach, which protrudes like a pointing white finger into the sea. The Dalmatian coastline’s reputation for long hours of summer sunshine inevitably results in the region’s beaches attracting holidaymakers. Bačvice Beach, a 15-minute stroll from the heart of Split’s Old Town, is a popular spot for sunbathing and its shallow, protected water attracts bathers of all ages. A handful of cafés serve food and refreshments close to the waterfront, including the Beach and Booze Bar, whose no-nonsense name indicates that guests can drop by and expect seaside cocktails.

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City Guide Split

Split is also a gateway to the beaches on tourist-friendly islands such as Brač, Hvar and Šolta. Sipping a beer outside at a Riva bar, I watch a steady flow of ferries sailing into and out of the city’s port. Wine enthusiasts are likely to enjoy pottering about a city that presents plenty of opportunities to pause at establishments serving produce from Croatian wineries. The Zinfandel bar takes its name from a grape varietal that originates in this part of the world yet is best-known for flourishing in California’s vineyards. The wines served by the glass include Dingač, a heavyhitting, fruit-packed red produced from grapes grown south of Split on steep slopes on the Pelješac peninsula. Diocletian’s Wine House is an informal spot where the appetisers are ideal as tapas-like accompaniments to wine, including a Dalmatian plate whose combination of cheese, meat and olives is comparable to an antipasto platter. Its hour-long wine-tasting session is an opportunity to sample three different Croatian wines, each introduced by the sommelier, and nibble on local delicacies. Warm evenings present opportunities to dine at tables outside restaurants and people-watch. Several of Split’s restaurants specialise in seafood, serving the likes of tender octopus salad and oysters as starters. Black risotto packed with freshly landed seafood, known locally as crni rižot, is a regional dish whose tar-like appearance is supplied by viscous squid ink. It’s served in many restaurants in the Old Town, including at the laid-back Konoba Fetivi. Slow-cooked fish stew, brudet, is another dish to look out for; the version served at the Trattoria Tavulin is rich in flavour. One of the joys of being in Split is easy access to healthy, hearty food. ABTAmag.com

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Features Greek islands

Letters to the islands We invited some of our regular contributors to write about the Greek islands they are missing the most, from Paxos, with its Venetian architecture, to peaceful Hydra and the pink sands of Crete 36 May 2020

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May 2020 37

Features Greek islands

CRETE

By Heidi Fuller-Love Stretching from the pastel-coloured Venetian buildings clustered around Chania’s pretty port, to the stepped streets and traditional tavernas of little-known eastern resort Sitia, Greece’s Megalonisi (big island) is a favourite with Greeks themselves – not only because of the fabulous food, buzzing nightlife and stunning beaches, but because Cretans are renowned for their hospitality. The best place to sample that filoxenia (love of the stranger) is to spend a few hours sipping raki and supping meze snacks (such as wild herbs horta and ntakos, rusks dotted with tomato and feta) in a local kafeneion in one of the mountain villages. Down on the coast there are plenty of places to fill up on good food, too: head for Kritiko Spiti in Sitia, where local delights, such as courgette fritter kolokithokeftedes or stifado pork in a red wine sauce, are served to the rousing tunes of Crete’s traditional music; or make a beeline for the Ferryman – opposite Spinalonga, the leper island of Victoria Hislop’s bestselling novel – where celebrity chef Yannis Baxevanis dishes up the best kleftiko parchmentbaked lamb in town.

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Home of the legendary Minotaur and birthplace of king of the gods Zeus, Crete also has plenty of well-organised museums and world-class archaeological sites – and then of course there are those beaches: known locally as the “Cretan Caribbean”, the shell-strewn sands and shallow waters of Balos beach are great for toddlers, while the mirror-clear seas and pink sands of Elafonissi are perfect for families. Who’s it for? Like a bite-sized taste of everything Greece does best, this magical island has something for everyone. Getting there: Most of the major airlines, including EasyJet, British Airways, Aegean and Ryanair, fly direct to Crete’s Heraklion or Chania airports from London’s Gatwick and Stansted airports.

HYDRA

By Sam Ballard When it comes to Greece’s island paradises, a general rule that I’ve found is this: the more effort it takes to get there, the greater the reward. Hydra is the perfect example. The island isn’t easy to get to – there is no airport, so visitors must board a 90-minute ferry from Piraeus – which keeps the crowds of Santorini and Mikonos at bay. However, there is another reason why Hydra’s peaceful nature has reached

almost mythological heights: the island has outlawed motor vehicles. In fact, the only way to get around is either on foot, by water taxi or on the back of a donkey. Visitors who make the journey will not be disappointed. Take a slow walk down the narrow, winding lanes (where no car could fit anyway), jump into the sea and dry off on the rocks at Hydronetta Beach or go and seek out Leonard Cohen’s house. The music legend bought a villa here in the 1960s and kept it until his death. Hydra is the perfect place to while away the day – or longer if you are looking for absolute relaxation. The beautiful harbour is full of seafood restaurants while the tavernas are set in the avenues a little farther back. The shopping is surprisingly luxurious – a testament to the island’s glitzy past, when the likes of Mick Jagger, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton and Jackie O used to holiday there. Hydra is the perfect Greek island: beautiful, peaceful and with a touch of class. Who’s it for? Hydra is perfect for couples or groups of friends wanting a day of eating, drinking and shopping. Families with young children might want to head elsewhere though – the island’s sandy beach is only accessible via water taxi. Getting there: There are daily ferries from Piraeus.

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MILOS

By Helen Iatrou Up until recently, the volcanic island of Milos remained a well-kept secret among Greek couples who flocked there for its 40-plus beaches, considered to be among the country’s best. Mined for minerals since ancient times, the island’s rich geological wealth is what makes its beaches so diverse. At Insta-magnet Sarakiniko beach, named for the Saracen pirates who took shelter there, you might assume you’ve landed on the moon, were it not for a jade-hued Aegean Sea that has sculpted the rocky landscape for eons. Rust-coloured cliffs frame Paleochori beach and vibrantly painted boat houses – known as syrmata – dot the shore of seaside village Klima. Book a sailing trip to the Kleftiko and Sykia sea caves, where you can snorkel. Some tours encompass a swim in the turquoise waters off Polyegos islet. Miloterranean Geo Experience offers free online maps with walking routes that cover island highlights including an abandoned sulphur mine and early Christian catacombs. Milos has seen a significant uptick in visitors in the past few years, which

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resulted in a much-needed revamp of accommodation options; however, it still retains that sleepy Cycladic island vibe. I tend to stay in the peaceful fishing village of Pollonia, which has some excellent, reasonably priced tavernas, among them Armira. At Kivotos ton Gefseon (Ark of Flavours), I stock up on local goodies such as sundried tomato paste spread and savour a slice of watermelon pie. Adamas, the small but lively harbour town, is brimming with boutiques, waterfront cafés and cosy bars, such as elegant, candle-lit Akri. Who’s it for? Milos is best suited to tranquility-seeking, beach-hunting couples of all ages who are happy to hire a car and spend a good week or even ten days scouring as much of the island as possible. Getting there: There are daily flights from Athens and ferries from Piraeus.

A general rule: the more effort it takes to get there, the greater the reward

RHODES

By Stuart Forster Greece’s fourth-largest island has a pleasant climate and multifaceted history, making it a rewarding destination for holidays peppered with day trips. I’ve stayed at luxury resorts and self-catering apartments at Lindos, a compact coastal town about an hour’s drive south of the island’s international airport.

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Features Greek islands

Symi’s harbour is a symphony of bobbing boats in the crystal water

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Long before tourists began flying to Rhodes for sunshine and summer relaxation, pilgrims headed to the Temple of Athena up on the acropolis of Lindos, which today offers outstanding views over the town’s narrow lanes and houses built by wealthy sea captains in bygone centuries. One, known simply as The Captain’s House, has a café-bar in its courtyard and welcomes guests to look around or spend time sipping drinks. Dinner is served on several Lindian rooftops, delivering traditional Greek cuisine and hospitality, plus views of the illuminated acropolis. Rhodes’ medieval core makes a great place to stroll, pause for coffee and peoplewatch. The city’s imposing walls and Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes hint at the island’s strategic importance during crusading times. The fountain on Hippocrates Square and Islamic architecture of the Suleiman Mosque is a legacy of nearly four centuries of Ottoman rule. History lovers might like to squeeze in a visit to Rhodes’ impressive archaeological museum, but boot-shaped glasses of cold

beer served at bars in town may exert greater appeal after a day of sightseeing. Who’s it for? Heritage and sun-loving couples seeking a quiet break. Getting there: There are flights four times a week from London Gatwick to Rhodes Airport. There are also four flights a week from Manchester in summer and two each week from Newcastle.

SYMI

By Karl Cushing As the first Greek Island I holidayed upon, I reserve a special place for Symi. The steep, rocky island in the Dodecanese has me in its thrall from the moment I approach the harbour, a symphony of bobbing boats in the crystal water with grand neoclassical mansions spilling out from the sides. Symi’s calm, pebble-bottomed waters make for excellent swimming, and long, languid days are spent at its basic beach clubs, padding between sea, lounger and taverna. Some days we merely drag ourselves the short distance from our apartment to Nos, Symi town’s main beach.

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In more adventurous moments we take water taxis to sheltered coves such as Yiala. One exception is our strolls up the old Kali Strata steps to Chorio, the upper town. Home to most of the locals, its terraced tavernas offer lovely vantage points to enjoy scenic meals or sundowners looking out over the island. Back by the harbour, a clutch of old tableclothed restaurants serve up Symi’s famous shrimp and other seafood specialities. Here, we shop for lunches and dinners, the town’s cosy tavernas taking care of the hours after the sun dips for another day. Who’s it for? Symi is a great option for those who crave authenticity and like to mix with locals, the island having forsaken resort-style bells and whistles for old world charm. Most accommodation is provided in apartments and villas with the occasional small hotel such as Nireus, featured by the likes of Sunvil and Olympic Holidays. Getting there: You can reach Symi on a scheduled service from Rhodes with Dodekanisos Seaways or Blue Star Ferries. Various other Rhodian operators cater to daytrippers.

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PAXOS

By Anthony Pearce Paxos, the smallest of the seven principal Ionian Islands, is a 90-minute ferry boat ride from Corfu, but couldn’t feel farther away. While it may share some of the tourist hotspot’s coastal beauty, as well as the Venetian architecture and cuisine of Corfu Town, far fewer travellers make the extra journey to Paxos, meaning it’s far quieter, and although still geared around tourism, relatively unspoilt. There are three main villages on Paxos, all on the east coast: Gaios, the capital; Lakka; and Loggos, each packed with bars and tavernas. The beautiful natural port of Gaios, created by the St Nicolas islet, resembles a fjord, while the town itself is centred around a pretty town square that overlooks a busy harbour. On our most recent visit we stayed inland in a spacious villa with a swimming pool and gardens that overlooked the town. Hidden down a winding, dusty road, it was only accessible by car, or, when the sun wasn’t too punishing, by walking up a steep nature trail; given we were there at the end of the season, and there were few people around,

our retreat felt like the most peaceful place in the world. Finding great food in Paxos is also easy. As in Corfu, you will find food distinct to the region such as pastitsada, a traditional Sunday dinner, which is beef stewed with pasta, tomatoes and paprika, as well as bourdeto, fish cooked in tomato sauce with onion, garlic and pepper. Most beaches on Paxos are small and pebbly, but its tiny sister island, Antipaxos, which is also only accessible ferry, offers some of the Ionian’s most pristine and peaceful backdrops. It’s only 4km long and there are no shops, no real roads, only a couple of tavernas and just a few houses. Who’s it for? Given it’s not easy to get to, is expensive (by Greek standards at least) and isn’t known for its beaches, it generally suits those looking for an authentic Greek experience, fine food and a little peace and quiet. Getting there: There are regular ferry boats, capable of carrying a few hundred people, that run from Corfu to Paxos, although they are less frequent towards the end of the season. ABTAmag.com

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