Trade shocked and saddened at news Travel 2 is to go

The trade has reacted with sadness to the news that dnata Travel Group plans to merge Travel 2 and Gold Medal, in a move that would result in the end of the much-loved brand and the closure of the Travel 2 office in Glasgow.

Managing director Lisa McAuley said on Thursday the consolidation would ‘create a number of exciting opportunities for us and our travel agent partners, while reducing costs and complexity’, but agents have expressed sadness.

Taking to social media, agents described feeling ‘gutted’, with one saying the Travel 2 staff are ‘always so helpful and friendly’ and another describing the current situation in travel as ‘certainly very sad times’.

Some agents have said they prefer the Travel 2 booking system to the Gold Medal system, with one saying: "Hope they keep this." Another said getting rid of the brand would prove to be ‘a massive mistake’.

Agent Tracy Pocock said: "They are absolutely mad to merge T2 in favour of GM. T2 system is far superior. T2 has been a name in the industry far longer and should be kept. The staff are amazing and the support given during Covid has been second to none. Feeling terribly sad for all the amazing T2 staff."

She added: "I do hundreds of thousands of pounds of business with T2 annually. I have been a travel agent for 40 years and always use T2 as a trust company within the industry."

Agent Arline Sloan said: "Honestly I just want to wake up from this nightmare. I’ve been booking Travel 2 for many many years and now it’s another name gone. Tragic. I’m feeling so sad for those that work for Travel 2 are now being made redundant."

Other comments include: "I love Travel 2 the website and the guys. Very sad for those that will lose jobs," while another described Travel 2 as a ‘fantastic go-to for everything’.

A review to improve efficiency within the group began late last year, but has accelerated as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

CEO John Bevan said: "We now find ourselves faced with an unprecedented set of circumstances that have forced us to accelerate the implementation of that review’s conclusions, and actually go even further."

On the Travel Gossip industry site, agent Stephanie Jepson said: "Nooo, not Travel 2! I’ve used them since they were Travel 2 and Travel 4 when I started in travel 28 years ago. Thoughts are with all the amazing staff. So so sad."

Agent Cathie O’Dea said: "End of an era. Loved using Travel 2."

North Wales-based agent Shelly Taylor described Travel 2 and Gold Medal as: "Both very professional companies who we love working with. My heart goes out to all involved. Very sad times."

Another agent said: "Such amazing staff and so knowledgeable and always pleased to help. I’ve been using them ever since I’ve been in travel. What sad news. Good luck to everyone at Travel 2. Will be thinking of you."

One former Travel 2 employee described his time with the company as the ‘best job I’ve ever had’, adding: "Sad times. It’s just horrible out there just now."

David Worgan said he was ‘absolutely gutted’, adding: "The team at Travel 2, especially Simply Luxury, have become friends over the years, I feel so sad for them tonight; I wish them all every single success and best wishes for the future. In my opinion this will be seen in the years to come as a massive mistake."

Mitchell Hawes said: "And the government is still dithering and messing about whilst our industry burns. My thoughts are with all of my friends up there in Glasgow."

Other comments included: "I’m sure John (Bevan) and his team have done their upmost best to save as many jobs as possible in this difficult time. Good luck to all involved."

"Both T2 and GM staff are suffering right now. The staff at both work so hard."

"Very sad to hear, however, in these uncertain times probably commercially a very good move if it protects the overall brand and at least some jobs."