Holidaymakers urged to ‘keep calm’
Holidaymakers are being urged to ‘keep calm and carry on holidaying’ following today’s referendum result.
Cheapflights managing director Andrew Shelton said the result will throw the spotlight on many benefits British travellers have taken for granted, such as the European open skies agreements which have allowed budget airlines to thrive, a robust UK currency and the end of mobile data roaming charges.
"However, holidaymakers shouldn’t assume that Brexit means all that will be lost. The UK travel market is vital to the economy of many European countries and regions," he said.
"It will be in their interests to seek ways to maintain the status quo. We believe a lot of effort will be made in the coming months and years to ensure the UK cash cow isn’t put out to pasture."
He also urged the industry itself not to panic, saying he doubts a Brexit would be as bleak as some in the industry have forecast.
"The Referendum sparked a great deal of debate and soul searching within the travel industry, which some would say is defined by one of the key benefits of the EU itself – the free movement of people.
"Everyone from home working agents to the airline CEOs contributed to the conversation, and it’s been fascinating to observe.
"The focus must now switch to what life in a post-EU world actually looks like. Will it be as bleak for the industry as some have forecast? We doubt it, there is too much value locked up in this market for that to happen. But certainly, those who have planned most effectively, which are operationally most nimble and which are best adapted to change, will be the ones to succeed."
Chris Wright, MD Sunvil Group and GIC The Villa CollectionSunvil, assured customers that bookings already made with the company will not be surcharged.
"Over the next few weeks and months, we will closely monitor the market situation and may make changes to our pricing strategy moving forward, if and when necessary. After 46 years in the travel industry, Sunvil has been through a considerable number of turbulent times before," he said.
"Our Greek and other European partners in the travel industry rely hugely on the UK visitor market for their livelihoods, and it’s important for us to reassure them that it’s business as usual in the holiday arena, no matter what the headline news is. And holidays, after all, are vital for everyone’s wellbeing in this stressful 21st century life of ours."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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