During this #COVID I am going to create a rolling thread about key issues and articles of interest, just so as you can see the evolution toward a return to normality in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025; according to predictions by #Aviation!
Interesting article about #staycations and their price!!
The attitude of some UK h/makers, is I'm afraid, a common feature found in holidays abroad. I've heard many a tale about the Master vs Serf behaviour of some Brits! independent.co.uk/voices/holiday…
So whilst we consider how #COVID will evolve and its affect on Travel and #Hospitality, focus inevitably shifts as to how to bring about a greater free movement of people. As I predicted last Oct/Nov, enter stage left: #VaccinePassports...
So whilst we look at our navels on this Q of #VaccinePassports, with the vocal #Twitterarti gaining traction, our gaze is distracted from the need to talk abt this in terms of #HumanRights, not just for Citizens but also for businesses. #ECHR??
So whilst #england cogitates, one of the UK Nations has taken the first, albeit proportional step toward #VaccinePassports - are they leading the way or do we need to do more?
Aware of what is happening in #France having been there recently and of speaking to people I know. Despite what you read in UK press, the #PassSanitaire is proving 2B successful; contradicts #ImperialCollege at 5 above?
So, #VaccinePassports are now well and truly on the agenda, and this weekend, the glitterati that is broadcasting or twitter have been divining their libertarian credentials. Oh if it were only oh so simple...
IMO our political class are failing very essential Qs of #HumanRights, International responsibilities & scrutiny, temporary derogation, the #ECHR, or at the least, those possibilities for #Citizens#Business#Life, not faux-libertarianism?
And then there's continuing debate on #VaccinePassports. Note the conditionality of @GOVUK's announcement - always read the small print! Stand by to hear more abt this in the future!
Then there's the prospect of higher prices & less capacity in 2022. #Aviation Industry predicts that they do not expect 2C return to 2019 PX/Traffic levels until 2023. Many factors at play! #Consumers tread cautiously!
This #Spanish Supreme Ct decision is important. It demonstrates (w/o seeing full judgement), my own obs abt how #VaccinePassports should be seen through the prism of #HumanRights#ECHR - balance & derogation?
Yet another barometer as to how #Aviation views recovery. Note their US-centric view on the domestic market (that remains to be seen). Looks like 2023/24 overall..
...some further information from @WHO which provides for a detailed analysis on progress of the virus & regional factors which may influence decisions.
Then there's the legal possibilities that have or will arise from the whole issue of #coronavirus. I can see it now: #CompensationCulture etc: enter stage left; UK media! But if you are on receiving end of all this....
I've been out of the play for 10 days or so whilst I concentrate on campaigning on separate issues elsewhere. But the 'circus' that is Travel and COVID has not escaped me. It's unfolding exactly as I suspected but too late for many in 2021!
And here's another major #Airline beginning to lift its head to old horizons...but remember, for airlines generally, this is not the same as restoring itself back to 2019 levels:
The #PCRTest debate - looks like that requirement is going to be lifted in favour of the #antigen test. Good news for #Consumers? Or is it open to abuse? One to watch! I'm not convinced getting rid of #PCR is right!
Even though the UK is "out" of the EU, IMO @GOVUK & @CMAgovUK have failed to examine the source - 261/2004 - as its guide. I stress that examples are given of #ExtraordinaryCircumstances - that's the starting point:
As canny #Consumers, before we part with our cash, we should research and pay heed to what is going on in the world around us, for example, in #China...
I recommend that #Consumers follow these breadcrumbs in their research B4 spending money! In particular, read the weekly report from @WHO & understand how #COVID is spreading/managed globally: who.int/emergencies/di…
* Yes, there may be seeds of confidence, but
* Research B4U click n'go
* Recognise risk & trends
* #COVID is a 2-way street; it's not all abt the UK, nor
* Should you be attracted by the 'precious' of Co's/politics/media!
To emphasise the #COVID certification point, particularly if you have one dated B4 1/11/21, here is the advice for England (there are links for #Wales, #NI#Scotland):
Here's an example of the kind of research I talk about that #holidaymakers should be seeking B4 they book - this relates to #Egypt and the current situation in that country (also check FCDO advices):
And I've noted a large increase in chatter about holidays to #USA. Again, do your research, here's another example of the detail you can find (also check FCDO advices):
Here is a good summary of the use of #COVIDPassports - do you remember how I called this back in Nov'20? Nobody bats an eyelid in #France#Ireland! This is a fact of life, and will become more so:
This closed blog illustrates the wider issues across the world and particularly in the #UK and #Europe - issues #Consumers should be exploring B4 they book ANY travel!
Yet more signs relating to the #unvaccinated factor in our societies (do we not have a similar issue here in the UK?) - action now being taken by #Germany - it will be interesting to watch the #ECHR issues:
So things are heating up in #Austria, not only are they going into a full lockdown, but now making #Vaccinations mandatory. This is an interesting development suggesting countries are becoming impatient; ECHR?
The UK is already talking about "not" needing a Plan B, but clearly they are! #Consumers need to think very carefully before they commit to spending or booking holidays for the near future. I don't like saying that, but....
I've managed 2get away 3times in 2021, into safe environments, but as we look forward in hope to a reasonable 2022, we must keep an eye open on #COVID developments!
Underlying the growing fear of B.1.1.529 #Variant, the UK has added 6 countries to the #RedList, but I suspect that Governments around the world are very nervous about this latest development. #Consumers should pay heed! bbc.co.uk/news/uk-594283…
Bad news for the inbound sector at this time, reportedly down by 75% - will #Staycations take the sting out of this, or will #Omicron dent that confidence?
I saw this a few days back & decided to ignore it, but alas, I have to say, this is utterly infantile from an already juvenile @GOVUK. Completely devoid of any true strategy or leadership in this crisis. travelmole.com/news/minister-…
Whilst it deals w/the affects on society broadly, I found it interesting b/c of its reference to the #PrecautionaryPrinciple and how Govt's & decision-makers are behind the curve! weforum.org/agenda/2021/11…
I agree @GOVUK's strategic approach has been inconsistently lamentable. Let's not lose sight of the undeniable fact: Govts around the world have been slow to act & global flights have been the incubators of failure!
And whilst the #Aviation PR highlights that flying during #COVID is safe, we need to consider the real science of spread, particularly on long-haul flights, as this excellent report highlights...
I'm listening to Travel voices, & whilst I've sympathy, rushing for that quick £€or$ does not secure long-term futures. We need to accept the reality & fact that ships and planes are #COVID incubators & plan accordingly! #threadreaderapp unroll
...and here is another from late last year, again demonstrating the concern of receiving countries. Remember, it's not all about domestic measures, its abt importation of viruses & pressure on health systems!
It may be smaller capacity, but here is an example of the nervousness of travel companies, trying to reduce risk as much as possible. #Consumers need to look beyond UK newspaper headlines!
It may be reassuring, but, it demonstrates the importance of checking vaccination rates in any country & its intentions/actions on controlling the spread of the virus, before you book!
This is the most important warning that #holidaymakers should pay heed to - I keep saying - if you are going on #holiday don't assume that UK rules apply - they don't!
✅ Some confidence
✅ Those w/cash will spend first
✅ Expect Higher Prices
✅ Expect tighter capacity
✅ Staycations will remain favourite this year
❌ Rising prices will deter
❌ Quality probs?
❌ Borders & Variants
On the heels of my earlier tweets, here's a good example of the continuing & I would say foreseeable difficulties that will face #holidaymakers and a given country's travel rules.
This is why it is important for all #Consumers & #TravelIndustry to think carefully about this return to #normality. It's not all abt personal desires or the balance sheet. This is potentially a pivotal moment.
I've had some very clear views since the beginning of the year on the challenges facing Travel and the difficulties ahead. I've taken a cautionary approach based on research
I also happen to believe that if @GOVUK & #TravelIndustry go into a huddle with each other, on issues that directly affect #Consumers, then we should read/hear what they have discussed & have decided
For many years I have passionately advocated #ConsumerRights & believe that @GOVUK should advocate those rights incl taking unilateral action to enforce provisions where they think the law's been broken
Meantime, I've spoken to #Consumers abt positive experiences @STN_Airport - plenty of staff & well org they tell me, so why is it so different elsewhere?
We hear of the remarkable pleading to allow foreign workers to come in under special visas which was refused; a free-movement #Brexit issue; an own goal!
But clearly the discussion has been going on for months
....It is this use of language, by all parties, that's designed to present their position that creates confusion in #Consumer understanding and indeed their expectations
It's all very good having high expectations, but...
It's a strange start to this tribute, but today is the 21st anniversary of my Dad's death. His life and of his Mother, Mary Breheny, is couched in real courage through #MotherAndBabyHomes#MagdalenLaundries
Over the years I have tweeted about various aspects about how we travel and its affect on the #environment and the world around us. Through those years I've become more conscious of the travel decisions I make and it hasn't...
...always been easy. In my small way I'd travel for business by train rather than car, using rail to travel to #Brussels#Paris, offsetting my #CarbonFootprint when travelling by air. Now I'm looking to #EV, 2replace my car...
A couple of years ago whilst I was in #London, I decided to visit the #ExtinctionRebellion protest in #Whitehall where I managed to speak with one of its members, talking about the #Climate and Travel: