Top positive coronavirus travel industry news stories this week
Coronavirus cases drop in South Korea
Starting on a very promising note, coronavirus cases have dropped dramatically in South Korea. According to a new report, it has efficiently implemented large-scale coronavirus testing, which has helped health officials and citizens curb the illness' spread. Find out moreMinisters finalise multi-billion pound airline bailout plan
It's been reported that the government has drafted in City bankers to assess the finances of Britain's biggest airlines, as they put the finishing touches to a multi-billion pound rescue plan. Sources said airlines including easyJet, British Airways' parent company International Airlines Group, Ryanair and Virgin Atlantic were all in talks with the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, earlier this week to discuss a series of requests made for financial support. Find out moreHotel chains offer beds to NHS
Best Western Great Britain and Britannia Hotels have announced this week that they will support the NHS by offering rooms to staff and those in need of critical care. Best Western has offered 15,000 hotel bedrooms and more than 1,000 meeting rooms available to help NHS staff and care workers, as well as lower-risk patients, families and over 70s. Meanwhile, Britannia Hotels has advised the government that it can offer accommodation for 600 patients across the UK to free up spaces for people in need of critical hospital care during the Covid-19 crisis. Find out moreMiles Morgan Travel offers to shop for elderly clients
Miles Morgan Travel is offering to help elderly clients who are struggling to get supplies by offering to shop on their behalf. The owner, Miles Morgan, has said he made the decision to help when he heard the news that the government asked people over the age of 70 to self-isolate because of coronavirus.Find out moreMiles pledges our team's support to over 70s who are isolating by offering to deliver their shopping and keeping in contact by phone.
— Miles Morgan Travel (@MilesMorganNews) March 16, 2020
View on Youtube: https://t.co/7RqiP28Ghh#coronavirus #HelpingTheCommunity #communityspirit pic.twitter.com/9h4ThPIx9Y
Customers ‘satisfied’ with airlines during coronavirus
Positive news for airlines, Phocuswire reports that 85% of travellers that have cancelled or rescheduled flights are likely to receive some form of refund or credit for future travel in a recent report and 69% are satisfied with the customer service they received. Find out moreTravel Weekly hosts Travel's Good Deed Feed
Travel Weekly has launched a Travel's Good Deed Feed on Twitter, which helps spread lovely acts of kindness during this difficult period. If you have anything to share, get in touch!It feels like there’s a never-ending stream of bad news at the moment. So today, @travelweekly is launching ‘Travel’s Good Deed Feed’, highlighting the positive stories that are emerging from the desperate situation we are all facing. Please add yours https://t.co/MsdiM2gyib
— Lucy Huxley (@Lucy_Huxley) March 18, 2020
Central England Co-op launches food bank
Central England Co-op has announced plans to open a food bank to help support those who are affected by the coronavirus. They will be collecting donations at the Co-op’s food stores, where around half of the society’s 26 travel agencies are based. The food collected will be used to create food parcels of around 11 items each to provide at least three days’ worth of meals and donations will be passed on to the society’s charity partners to distribute to those in need. Find out moreInstitute of Travel & Tourism praises member support
The Institute of Travel & Tourism has reached out to its members to say how wonderful it is to see everyone in the industry supporting each other, with many offering their services free of charge during this period of uncertainty. They have asked if you are a member and would like to help by providing discounted or complimentary services, that you post about this on their Members Wall within the ITT app, CommunITTY. Find out moreIcelolly.com still seeing interest in travel
Finally, Richard Singer, CEO of Icelolly.com shared a promising update regarding interest in Easy Jet’s winter sale.A bit of positivity from @icelollyholiday- dark blue line is today. We supported @easyJet with their winter 2020 sale. Earlier we promoted it on social and the app, later in the afternoon on email. While the numbers are obvs lower, it shows the appetite to travel. #KeepTheFaith pic.twitter.com/KoRyjHEvW8
— Richard Singer (@rsinger79) March 18, 2020