Press Article

Trust accounts have been the subject of much discussion during the Covid crisis owing to the heightened focus on consumer protection after so many holidays were delayed or cancelled. The CAA’s Atol consultation has suggested greater use of trust accounts could be a way forward, and just last week, Abta said it would recognise trust…

The trade is facing a “huge problem” as insurers pull out of the sector or make it harder for agents to secure financial protection against business failure. Agents are being warned to prepare for potential issues ahead of annual policy renewal dates. To adhere to the 2018 Package Travel Regulations, agents can protect consumers’ money against the…

Managing director of World Travel Lounge David McDonald tells Juliet Dennis that taking over three branches of a competitor was the right thing to do, and about the launch of Chillimix – a LGBTQ+ tour operationQ. Do you have a travel background? A. I previously worked for Thomas Cook. I had always had a dream to run a travel agency…

A new specialist tour operator aiming to become the “go-to name for LGBT travellers” is gearing up to work with agents. Chillimix, created by World Travel Lounge boss David McDonald, will initially offer beach and city holidays across 28 destinations, bookable through the brand’s website. It will start selling through the trade next month promising…

Protected Trust Services has appointed Nicky Deadman in the new role of member support and development manager. Deadman was until recently assistant head of membership at The Travel Network Group but was 

The upcoming four-week England-wide lockdown has split trade opinion between agents who say it will make little difference and those who feel “the lights have been turned off” as sales picked up. After 

Industry financial adviser Chris Photi has described the September 2020 Abta bond renewals as “an ongoing bloodbath”, and suggested travel firms will have little choice but to operate trust models in the future. Speaking during Tuesday’s Barclays Travel Industry State of the Nation – Part 1 (3 November), Chris Photi of White Hart Associates said:…

Other industries have just discovered the merits of working from home, but travel agents have been doing it for decades, finds Samantha Mayling.Over the past 25 years, the homeworking agency sector has evolved from a handful of pioneering companies to an estimated 50‑plus players. Now, amid lockdowns during the Covid-19 crisis, vast numbers of office and…

Being made redundant spurred Hattie Seal to realise her dream of establishing a travel business with her friend Annabel Upson. Juliet Dennis reports.Q. Why did you set up an agency this summer? A. About six years ago, I started my career at Tucan Travel, where I worked my way up to tailor-made manager. I was headhunted by a…

New start-up tour operation Sunny Heart Travel has hired more former Thomas Cook staff and joined Protected Trust Services.