June Update
Hello
Just a short update from me to say that I hope this message finds everyone safe and well in these unprecedented times. As lockdown starts to ease, I thought it time I sent a brief update to you all.
Can I please start with saying a huge thank you for all the messages of support, via Facebook, text and email, and also for the many lovely phone calls received enquiring about myself and my families wellbeing, it is very much appreciated and I have been very overwhelmed. Many of you have been posting pictures of your beautiful gardens, and the countryside when out on your exercise, and I have really enjoyed seeing what you have all been doing during lockdown to keep yourselves busy, especially some of the more quirky ideas! For the Bush family in between working we have been enjoying gardening, discovering new local dog walks, cooking & baking!
BUSINESS & TRAVEL
At the moment we are still unsure when travel will fully open again. For those affected by holiday cancellations, I`m so sorry you have not been able to travel & enjoy your holidays, and I thank you for your patience and understanding whilst you await refunds, as you can imagine this is a huge task recouping monies from airlines, tour operators, and hoteliers. I’d also like to say thank you to many of you for moving your holidays to 2021, I hope you will look forward to them next year. At the end of March we undertook a massive challenge of repatriating thousands of passengers stranded overseas that were caught up with airline cancellations and border closures worldwide, I`m pleased to say that all my clients that needed repatriation were safely home by the end of March, and I had the following message from some clients who had to cut short their travels in India and return home early:
“Hi Helen The more and more I hear on the news about stranded holiday makers including those in South India, their fight to come home and the conditions they are having to live in or being hospitalised in, the more and more grateful I am to you for getting us all home safely and quickly as you did. No amount of thank you’s will convey how grateful we are to you. God Bless you Helen. Debbie, Mum, Alison, Tina and Ashlee x”
As many of you know I work on a commission only basis, and for the forthcoming months I will be working for nothing, until travel resumes, and forward bookings are made. Could I please ask, that to help build my business back up, when the subject of holidays comes up in conversation, please pass my details on to friends, colleagues, and family. I would be most grateful.
OTHER NEWS
Last month Travel Counsellors were presented with the Queens Award for Enterprise, this is the third time the company has won this accolade, and we are one of 220 organisations nationally to be recognised with this prestigious award.
At the end of May, in a survey run by Money Saving Expert, we were recognised as the Number One company for cancellation refunds during the pandemic crisis, and how they are being handled during this time.
On the 1st May, Travel Counsellors introduced it`s new “TC Flexible Promise” for new TC Package holiday bookings, we will allow clients to transfer their deposit to a future date if they decide they want to delay their departure as a result of the current uncertainty, right up to 8 weeks before departure. T & C`s apply.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
At the moment we still have no idea how or when travel will open up fully, however I am starting to see a few tentative enquiries now coming through for 2021, and I am very much open for business. If you have a holiday booking travelling later in the year and you need guidance or just to talk it through please let me know and I will give you a call, or if you are looking for inspiration/holiday ideas/brochures for 2021 drop me a line and I will contact you to see how I can help. We may not be able to travel just now, but we can plan ahead and dream about travel for the near future.
Thank you once again and I look forward to speaking to you soon, Best wishes & keep well, Helen
