Yesterday saw a significant escalation of our government’s policy around international travel – at lunchtime, it advised against all but essential international travel for the next 30 days.
General Advice
It takes a lot to deter us Brits from seeking some well deserved relaxation abroad therefore many were still travelling up until this Travel Advisory Notice was announced by our Foreign Office. It has been a crazy few days and weeks with near constant updates to entry requirements and restrictions coming in to force for many countries, which have often been changed more than once a day and clients bookings requiring immediate attention as a result.
Clients who are already abroad and those who are due to travel within the next 7 to 14 day period are taking priority at the moment. As travel dates for May and beyond approach, I will be in contact with clients to discuss both the Foreign Office and their tour operator’s strategy at that time. As I write this, most tour operators have guidelines in place for clients due to travel through to the middle to end of April 2020 and these plans will be subject to ongoing review.
Refunds
Initially, tour operators were offering refunds for holidays cancelled due to either a country closing its borders or our Foreign Office advising against non-essential travel to a destination. As the coronavirus has spread so rapidly and the number of those being advised not to travel has increased considerably in recent days, many of these companies are now trying to protect their businesses by offering to change travel dates for no administration fees or retaining any monies which can be used as a credit towards re-booking another holiday at a later date. If a refund is requested, then in most instances the companies are suggesting that clients submit a claim for any monetary loss via their own travel insurance.
We’re here for you!
Customer service will remain integral to the Lomani business ethos as we cautiously negotiate the weeks that lie ahead. I am here for you, to answer any concerns that you might have, whenever needed.
One thing is certain, we will all need and very much look forward to booking a lovely break away once the virus begins to subside – let’s hope it is before the summer arrives. In the meantime, please adhere to the government advice on how best to protect yourselves and steer yourselves safely through the spread of this infection. Take care of those who are most vulnerable and leave your holiday worries to me to take care of… it’s what I am here for!
Warmest best wishes
Lynne xxx