Informe semanal de noticias Oficina de Turismo de Tenerife en Londres
Tourism industry
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Abta puts forward plan to save thousands of outbound travel jobs
Abta has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlining plans it believes the government can implement to save tens of thousands of jobs in the outbound travel industry. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Flights should resume between ‘low-risk’ countries
The government is being urged to develop plans to re-start travel between “low-risk” countries as global Covid-19 lockdown measures are eased. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Kuoni chief says government inaction ‘death by thousand cuts’ for industry
The continued lack of clarity or any strategy for a return to travel from the government is tantamount to “death by a thousand cuts” for the sector, according to the boss of Kuoni parent Der Touristik. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Comment: A gruelling shakeout of the travel sector lies ahead
Amid the backdrop of a tragic and alarming number of coronavirus-related deaths, and thankfully survivors, we now need to prepare for what will be the most exhausting shakeout of the sector we love to work in. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary dismisses UK quarantine as ‘bonkers’
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has slammed UK government plans to impose 14-day quarantine restrictions on arrivals as “bonkers” and “unfeasible”. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Comment: Industry must present united return plan based on science
For economic reasons, the leisure travel industry needs to be able to restart operations as early as possible, which is why we don’t like the 14-day isolation plan which will effectively kill holiday demand as long as it is in place. Link
Express 18th May 2020: Tenerife airport reopens: Flights to Spain set to start from Monday
TENERIFE and four other major Spanish airports will reopen from Monday, the government has confirmed. The airports join a list of other reopenings announced yesterday. Link
TTG 18th May 2020: Heathrow to introduce thermal imaging screening this week
Heathrow will begin to screen arrivals for Covid-19 symptoms using thermal cameras, starting from Thursday (21 May). Link
TTG 18th May 2020: Staycation boost as govt backs ‘great British holidays’
Brits will be encouraged to take «a great British holiday» this summer – as soon as it is safe to do so. Link
TTG 18th May 2020: ABTA demands update on govt work to help travel
Abta has written to Boris Johnson demanding an update on the government’s action to address “the specific challenges” facing the travel industry. Link
TTG 18th May 2020: UK to quarantine all arrivals from next month
The UK will introduce an across the board quarantine requirement for air, sea, and other arrivals from June, transport secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed. Link
Travel Weekly 19th May 2020: ‘Air bridges’ initiative raises hope for foreign holidays this summer
The government’s “air bridges” plan to exempt low coronavirus inflection rate countries from a 14-day UK quarantine is being widely interpreted as providing a lifeline for foreign holidays this summer. Link
Travel Weekly 19th May 2020: Spain aims to open up to overseas holidaymakers by late June
Spain aims to welcome back foreign visitors by late June to kick-start its travel economy. Link
Travel Weekly 19th May 2020: Covid-19 triggers soaring level of travel and leisure sector profit warnings
The travel and leisure sector is set to emerge from the Covid-19 crisis behind leisure and hospitality. Link
Express 19th May 2020: Holidays 2020: Latest travel rules for Spain, Turkey and Portugal Britons need to know
HOLIDAYS 2020 are something of a sore point for many Britons right due to the coronavirus-induced uncertainty around when travel will once again be possible. But what are the latest travel rules for popular holiday destinations Spain, Turkey and Portugal? Link
Express 19th May 2020: Holidays: Package holidays could double in price after coronavirus warns expert
PACKAGE holidays are a popular option among many jet-setters due to the ease of booking and the good deals to be had. However, experts have warned this type of holiday could be set to double in price. Link
Express 19th May 2020: Summer holidays 2020: How Spain is planning to restart tourism in JUNE
SPAIN has revealed it is aiming to reopen its borders at the end of June as daily deaths from coronavirus in the country fell below 100 for the second day in a row yesterday. Link
TTG 19th May 2020: Coronavirus ‘Accelerating structural change’ in travel and leisure
Coronavirus is accelerating structural change in the UK’s travel and leisure sector, and exacerbating existing weaknesses according to business advisory firm EY. Link
NI Travel 19th May 2020: COVID-19: ABTA Calls for a “Coordinated Strategy and Clear Communication”
ABTA – The Travel Association has written to the Prime Minister to provide an update on the specific challenges that the industry – in particular travel agents and tour operators – is facing as this crisis unfolds, and to call for a coordinated strategy supported by specific measures and clear communication by the Government. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Travel agents hail 2020 domestic sales opportunity
Travel agents have hailed the opportunity to promote 2020 as ‘the year of domestic tourism’ and capitalise on UK sales as uncertainty remains over the possibility of overseas holidays. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Holiday prices and value predicted to return to pre-pandemic levels
Holiday prices may rise in the next two to three years after a short-term drop, but will eventually return to pre-pandemic levels of value, according to the boss of Kuoni parent Der Touristik UK. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Interest rises in holidays offering ‘isolation and minimal interaction’
Destinations and products which offer a perception of isolation and minimal interaction are trending for both long-haul and short-haul specialists. Link
TTG 20th May 2020: Iata: ‘No single measure to enable safe restart of flying’
Iata boss Alexandre de Juniac has said there is no single measure that will reduce risk and enable flying to restart safely amid the coronavirus crisis. Link
TTG 20th May 2020: Don’t pin your hopes on air bridges, government indicates
Quarantine-free ‘air bridges’ will not be part of initial plans to re-start international travel, the government has indicated. Link
Travel Mole 20th May 2020: PM considers extra bank holiday in October as tourism businesses warn of winter collapse
VisitBritain acting CEO Patricia Yates is calling for an extra bank holiday in October to help Britain’s tourism industry recover some of the £37 billion in trade lost during the coronavirus crisis. Link
Travel Daily 20th May 2020: Spain will wait: TURESPAÑA new video keeps the destination front of mind for travellers
The Spain Tourism Board or TURESPAÑA has released a video to remind visitors of the amazing experiences to be enjoyed in Spain and that it will wait for them to return with a warm welcome when lockdowns are lifted and travel returns. Link
Independent 20th May 2020: New Irish Tourism Recovery Taskforce to report ‘by the end of summer’
A new tourism taskforce will spearhead economic recovery for the sector and consider «all new and innovative ideas», Minister Shane Ross says. Link
Independent 20th May 2020: ‘A calculated risk’ – Spain and Italy plan to resume summer holidays from June
Both countries have been devastated by coronavirus, but say lockdown and public health measures are working, and tourism could begin to reboot from next month. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: Heathrow starts Covid-19 temperature check trials
The deployment of the thermal equipment in Terminal 2 is part of a wider initiative looking at technology that could reduce the risk of contracting or transmitting Covid-19 in the future. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: Boris Johnson urged to review 14-day quarantine restrictions
Boris Johnson is being urged to rethink the decision to impose 14-day quarantine restrictions on all arrivals to the UK. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: Industry leaders dismiss price hike fears
Industry leaders have dismissed fears of prices rising beyond the reach of many consumers following the Covid-19 crisis, with Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary going so far as to predict a “torrid pricing environment”. Link
TTG 21st May 2020: EU tourism ministers aim for ‘quick and full recovery’ of tourism
European tourism ministers have vowed to do “all it takes” for a quick recovery of the continent’s tourism industry this summer. Link
TTG 21st May 2020: EU sets out ‘blueprint’ for safe restoration of air travel
The EU has drawn up new guidelines for the safe restoration of air travel, promising to place a focus on health and safety «at every stage of the passenger journey». Link
Travel Daily 21st May 2020: The Travel Corporation unveils COVID-19 protocols and hygiene standards for all of its holidays
The Travel Corporation (TTC) and its guided vacations brands (Trafalgar, Luxury Gold, Insight Vacations, Contiki and Costsaver) have announced their newly enhanced COVID-19 related protocols and hygiene standards for all of its guided holidays once domestic and international travel resumes. Link
Ittn 21st May 2020: New Tourism Recovery Taskforce will be Chaired by Ruth Andrews
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D.,have announced the formation of a special Tourism Recovery Taskforce with an Independent Chair, dedicated to spearheading economic recovery for the tourism sector. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Abta adds new resources for members to coronavirus support hub
Abta has added more resources for members to its coronavirus support hub including advice on how to protect businesses from cyber-attacks. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Firms must restructure to survive, says Abercrombie & Kent boss
The UK boss of Abercrombie & Kent has urged travel companies to learn from the current crisis and accept that restructures will be necessary to ensure businesses survive. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Government to unveil quarantine plans including £1k fines and spot checks
The government is expected to announce random spot checks on international arrivals and £1,000 fines for non-compliance as it unveils its quarantine plans on Friday. Link
TTG 22nd May 2020: Packages comprise more than half of CMA holiday refund complaints
Abta has backed the Competition and Market Authority’s decision to widen its refunds probe to include package travel, stating it was vital refund timeframes were made clear to consumers. Link
TTG 22nd May 2020: MPS demand govt set out domestic tourism ‘recovery plan’
A group of MPs have urged the government to set out a «recovery plan» for what they described as the UK’s «devastated» tourism industry, and how domestic holidays can be resumed safely. Link
TTG 22nd May 2020: How the UK’s domestic tourism market is adapting post lockdown
VisitBritain/VisitEngland acting CEO Patricia Yates gives an overview of the tourism market in Britain, offering insights into the impact on the industry from the Covid-19 pandemic while also offering an update on the plans the agency has put in place to support the tourism sector post lockdown. Link
Airlines
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Ryanair confirms it owes up to 30 million refunds
Ryanair owns tens of millions of refunds for cancelled flights despite distributing vouchers or cash refunds worth €300 million to date. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Ryanair warns over losses continuing into summer peak
Ryanair will plunge €200 million into the red in the current quarter with losses continuing into the summer peak. Link
Eturbo news 18th May 2020: Ryanair CEO: UK response to COVID-19 is ‘idiotic’
The chief of Europe’s largest low cost airline has criticized UK government for its inept response to COVID-19 crisis. Link
TTG 18th May 2020: Ryanair warns of passenger and profits slump
Ryanair has said it expects to carry fewer than half its 2020/21 passenger target and predicts a loss of more than €200 million for April, May and June. Link
TTG 19th May 2020: EasyJet discloses details of ‘highly sophisticated’ cyber attack
EasyJet has disclosed details of cyber-attack from what it has described as a «highly sophisticated» source. Link
Travel Mole 19th May 2020: Union claims Ryanair is to axe up to 360 UK pilots
Ryanair has confirmed that it is planning to make up to 336 pilots in the UK redundant, according to pilots’ union BALPA. Link
Irish News 19th May 2020: EasyJet customers’ credit card details stolen in cyber attack
Budget airline easyJet has revealed that the peronsal information of nine million customers has been accessed in what the company described as a “highly sophisticated” cyber-attack. Link
Ittn 19th May 2020: Ryanair to Restore 40% of Scheduled Flights from 1 July
Ryanair plans to return to 40% of normal flight schedules from Wednesday 1 July 2020, subject to Government restrictions on intra-EU flights being lifted and effective public health measures being put in place at airports. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Airlines oppose government quarantine restrictions
A combination of passenger temperature checks and contact tracing means there is no need for arriving travellers to be placed in quarantine, the airline trade body believes. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Easa unveils safety rules for post-lockdown flying
Flying post-lockdown will be transformed by Covid-19 safety requirements for airlines and airports, with draft guidance issued by the EU Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) last week. Link
Belfast Live 20th May 2020: Complaints about airlines up by more than 360%, watchdog says
The number of complaints from Northern Ireland customers about airlines more than trebled between March and May, the Consumer Council has said. Link
Independent 20th May 2020: Aer Lingus says face coverings mandatory on flights from Thursday, May 21
Aer Lingus has joined a growing number of airlines requiring passengers to wear face coverings on flights. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: Jet2 owner bolsters finances with £170m share placing
Jet2 and Jet2holidays’ owner Dart Group has raised more than £170 million through a share placing. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: Europe’s tourism ‘can restart in July, August’, says Ryanair
Ryanair welcomed EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidance on Covid-19 safety for airlines and airports and urged the UK government to drop imposition of 14-day quarantine rules on arrivals. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: EASA releases Covid-19 guide for airports, airlines
The EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has confirmed guidance on Covid-19 safety protocols for airlines and airports. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: EasyJet flights to resume in June
EasyJet plans to resume a limited number of flights on June 15. Link
Ittn 21st May 2020: Emirates introduces Complimentary Hygiene Kits for every passenger
Emirates has unveiled multi-faceted measures for employee and customer care at every step of the travel journey, redefining safety and hygiene standards on board and on the ground. Link
Independent 21st May 2020: EasyJet to resume flights from June 15 – with enhanced cleaning and no in-flight food
EasyJet is to resume flights from a number of UK airports from June 15.
The low-cost carrier announced that its initial schedule will involve mainly domestic flying in the UK and France. Link
Travellers and travel agents/ Tour operators
TTG 18th May 2020: Travel Counsellors, Hays and JET2 rated ‘best for refunds’
Travel Counsellors, Hays Travel and Jet2 ranked among the top five travel brands for customer service amid the coronavirus crisis. Link
Travel Mole 18th May 2020: Kuoni launches adventure hub to ‘keep spirit of travel alive
Kuoni has launched a new adventure hub to ‘keep the spirit of worldwide travel alive’ during lockdown. Link
Travel Weekly 19th May 2020: Travel agents plan more virtual marketing and networking in future
Travel agents say they are likely to hold more virtual events in future to market holidays to clients and to engage with suppliers. Link
TTG 21st May 2020: Fain: Covid will change travel and we must adapt
Travel companies must adjust to a world in which “everything we do will have changed” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Royal Caribbean chief Richard Fain. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Travel agents and tour operators see revenues halve in March
Travel agencies and tour operators have been the worst hit of all major UK industries by the COVID-19 crisis with turnover down by over a half. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Icelolly.com sees further shift in customer demand to 2021 departures
Holiday price comparison website icelolly.com has reported increased shift in demand for 2021 holidays as uncertainty continues about the prospects for travel being allowed this summer. Link
Travel Weekly 22nd May 2020: Hoseasons parent starts to reopen to trade bookings
Hoseasons parent Awaze has began bringing trade partners back on board to “put Britain back on sale” after switching them off temporarily as the Covid-19 crisis hit. Link
Travel Mole 22nd May 2020: TUI says sorry to customers over refund delays
TUI has admitted to hundreds of thousands of customers ‘we didn’t always get it right’ over refunds and thanked third party agents for their patience. Link
Travel Mole 22nd May 2020: On the Beach places share issue to ride Covid crisis
On the Beach has raised £67.3 million in a new share placing and has secured a £25 million bank loan in order to help offset the impact of Covid-19. Link
Travel Mole 22nd May 2020: Many agents and operators will go under, warns accountancy group
Travel agencies and tour operators are the worst hit of all major industries by the coronavirus crisis, according to a national accountancy group. Link
Brexit
The Guardian 19th May 2020: Brexit talks: Britain accuses EU of treating UK as ‘unworthy’ partner
Britain’s chief negotiator, David Frost, has accused Brussels of treating the UK as an “unworthy” partner by offering a low-quality trade agreement that he says would force the country to “bend to EU norms”. Link
RTE 20th May 2020: Brexit has not gone away, as UK set to publish Northern Ireland plans
Brexit is about to raise its contentious head again. Link
BBC 20th May 2020: Brexit: NI proposals to be published by government
The UK government is expected to publish proposals on Wednesday for how to implement the Northern Ireland part of the Brexit deal. Link
Express 20th May 2020: Brexit row explodes: Spain lashes out at UK amid looming threat of collapsed EU trade deal
BREXIT talks have come to a standstill with both sides accusing the other of showing little flexibility and the UK demanding the EU budges on key issues such as fishing rights. Now Spain is urging negotiators to «stop posturing». Link
Express 20th May 2020: Brexit confession: How Michel Barnier claimed ‘UK likely to end up with Canada-style deal’
THE EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has ruled out granting Prime Minister Boris Johnson a Canada-style trade deal – something he had previously promised the UK, unearthed reports reveal. Link
Competitors
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: ‘Less than half’ of Balearic hotels set to re-open this summer
Hotels in the Balearic Islands are preparing to re-open for a later summer season between July and October. Link
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: St Lucia outlines phased return of international tourism
A phased approach to re-opening the tourism sector in St Lucia in a “responsible manner” from June 4 has been signalled by the island’s government. Link
TTG 19th May 2020: Portugal to reopen hotels and beaches in June
Portugal will begin to reopen its hotels and beaches next month, subject to «strict and rigorous» health and safety requirements. Link
NI Travel 19th May 2020: Portugal Enters Next Phase of their Lockdown Exit Plan
Portugal is taking another step forward in the process of gradually re-opening up the economy and social living. Link
The Telegraph 19th May 2020: Where are the prime candidates for an ‘air bridge’ holiday this summer?
International summer holidays were beginning to look like they would be off the cards, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said “summer is essentially cancelled” and the government announced a compulsory 14-day quarantine for anyone arriving into the UK. Link
Travel Weekly 20th May 2020: Frontline NHS workers offered free Caribbean holidays
Free holidays in the Caribbean will be given to eight frontline NHS workers in recognition of their fight against coronavirus. Link
Travel Weekly 21st May 2020: UK not top of the list when Greece reopens to international tourists
The UK will have to improve its performance in tackling coronavirus before being seen as a key source market as Greece opens up to tourism this summer. Link
Economy
Express 19th May 2020: Pound to euro exchange rate: GBP ‘crumbles’ to six month low due to Brexit and coronavirus
THE POUND to euro exchange rate has well and truly suffered at the hands of Brexit and coronavirus, with GBP plummeting to a six-month low against the euro. What could the week ahead have in store? Link
City AM 20th May 2020: UK inflation rate plunges to lowest level since 2016 amid coronavirus
The UK inflation rate tumbled from 1.5 per cent in March to 0.8 per cent in April as coronavirus pushed Britain into lockdown, according to data out today. Link
Express 21st May 2020: Pound to euro exchange rate: GBP slumps further amid desperate EU economic battle
THE POUND continued to lose ground against the euro yesterday amid economic concerns following the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Link
The Guardian 21st May 2020: UK economy set for slow rebound from ‘unprecedented slump’
Britain’s economy is on course for a slow rebound from the coronavirus outbreak amid mounting business concern over the hit to consumer demand and the looming end point for Brexit negotiations. Link
City AM 21st May 2020: UK economic pain eases somewhat in May but deep downturn continues
The UK economy thawed slightly in May from its April deep-freeze as the government eased some coronavirus restrictions, survey data has shown. Link
Irish Times 22nd May 2020: Our warped sense of perspective bodes ill for Ireland’s economy
If we don’t manage virus risks sensibly, our economy will rot in the ground. Link
City AM 22nd May 2020: Government borrowing hits record £62bn in April over coronavirus measures
UK government borrowing rose by a record £62.1bn in April alone as the government paid people’s wages and loaned businesses cash to survive the coronavirus lockdown, statistics showed today. Link
Financial Times 22nd May 2020: A no-deal Brexit amid the pandemic would be disgraceful
The wisest thing to do would be to reach a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU. Link
Express 22nd May 2020: ‘Defenceless on Dec 31!’ MoD insider blasts Boris Johnson’s ‘nonsense’ Galileo plan
BREXIT negotiations between the UK and the European Union appear to have hit a wall after both sides launched scathing attacks over terms for a free trade agreement this week, but MoD insider Tobias Ellwood has reiterated the importance of securing a deal with the EU for British defence. Link
Unemployment
Travel Weekly 18th May 2020: Up to 30,000 Emirates jobs ‘at risk’
Emirates Group is reportedly on the verge of putting up to 30,000 jobs at risk as the latest carrier to make job cuts due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Link
Sky News 20th May 2020: Coronavirus: ‘I don’t know who I am anymore’ – Lives shattered by the coronavirus jobs crisis
The pandemic is exacting a heavy toll on livelihoods in the UK – with unemployment claims rising to more than two million. Link
The Milford Mercury 22nd May 2020: Here are worst areas in the UK for unemployment due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The areas most severely affected by unemployment across the UK during the coronavirus pandemic have been revealed. Link
Huffington Post 22nd May 2020: Youth Unemployment Is A Ticking Time Bomb
Coronavirus lockdown means we are now running the risk of a whole generation ‘failing to launch’. Lockdown is creating an unprecedented crisis in the jobs’ market. The latest figures put unemployment levels at 2.1 million. In addition, we now have 7.5 million workers who have been furloughed
