September news
All sorts going on this month and a lot to look forward to, and maybe some future concerns as well.
Canada is open for business https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/foreign-travellers-covid-19-vaccinated-border-1.6166650. This has been great news for UK/Scandi long-haul agents, something to sell at last! Obviously, there are still no sales for USA, Australia, and New Zealand, not many enquiries either.
USA is not really there yet but getting closer https://www.travelinglifestyle.net/us-reopening-borders-to-tourism-who-can-enter/.
Staff shortages due to Brexit and Covid 19 have left Nando’s without chicken and McDonalds without milkshakes! https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/58314821. The big companies are asking for HGV drivers to be allowed to work as ‘skilled workers’ but the UK government is not allowing this as there are plenty of drivers in the UK. Tesco recently looked for 50 drivers and got 750 applicants, so it is all about pay levels. Nando’s and KFC issues are processing plant workers, jobs that are low paid and unattractive, previously done by EU workers with Brexit and Covid stopping them returning.
The end of September brings the end of furlough to the UK, this is likely to see a lot of businesses struggle and staff being laid of in large numbers.
The good news this month is the huge growth in global stats for vaccine programs as almost everyone gets behind this process. This gives great potential for travel in the fairly near future. Denmark is leading the stats with 74% of the population fully vaccinated, UK is on 65% and most of Europe is over 60%. Australia and New Zealand are catching up and are both now above 30%. More stats available here https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus#coronavirus-country-profiles
New Zealand will not allow travel in 2021 but 2022 looks likely https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-58182418. At present Auckland is on lockdown until 21st September https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/auckland-covid-lockdown-nz-ardern-b1918994.html. It looks like the Delta variant is now out there so vaccine programs have ramped up as it is too late to contain.
Australia has already come to terms with Covid 19 spreading https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-58406526 and ‘come out of the cave’ which is great news for future travel.
Demand for travel is still very high and many people have done very well out of Covid furlough, grants, and savings due to lockdowns so there is demand and budget ready to spend as soon as countries open. Poor European summer has only increased demand to travel further afield. Lack of travel staff will be an issue when the flood gates do open, so it is important to be ready.
I hope you are all well and keeping safe. Image this month is my daughter rock climbing, onwards and upwards!
keith@tailormaderepresentation.com or phone +44 77699 71217
Keith Marsh
Tailor Made Representation – Helping you connect.