The blog DiarideBarcelona.cat interviewed our manager Jordi Vendrell. The Covid-19 crisis has had a special impact on tourism and travel agencies are one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic and the resulting crisis.
Tourism has been one of the sectors most affected by Covid-19. How does it affect travel agencies in particular?
The coronavirus has affected us greatly. We work internationally, so border closures and lockdown have completely disrupted our plans. Since March 11, we have had two jobs: first, repatriating everyone we had travelling around the world; second, managing refunds for people who had booked trips that could no longer go ahead.
We have had plenty of work: repatriating travellers and managing all the paperwork for their returns kept us busy. We have also had to fight to recover money from suppliers. It is full-time work, but generates no income.
Sustainable trips outside the usual routes
At Viajes Tuareg, we innovate in travel, opening routes and seeking new destinations. Moving beyond mass tourism creates opportunities for more sustainable travel. Visits are arranged differently. They visit places that are not so well known, where there are no tourist infrastructures and where the influx of visitors is minimal.
Little-visited places retain more of their original character, without being altered for visitors. Travellers also leave more satisfied because the experience feels more authentic.
What concrete measures should be taken?
For us there are a number of measures which would be useful and which
- First, understand travel agencies’ situation and extend the ERTE furlough schemes until at least the end of the year.
- We would also welcome agreement between our government and other EU governments on clearer, common protocols.
- We use the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, as travel agencies do, to assess destination safety. It is essential for the government to keep this information current and reliable.
- International travel health services need to reopen, as medical requirements have become crucial. Many destinations require a yellow fever vaccination, which only authorised providers can administer. If international vaccination centres remain closed, travellers cannot get vaccinated or visit those places.
This kind of thing doesn't cost much to activate, but for us it makes a big difference..
We understand that the government has other priorities, but it should at least avoid hindering us with campaigns promoting domestic tourism alone. We do our part, but need help and some luck. The authorities need to understand our situation and recognise tourism as a global issue. Local tourism can be promoted without undermining other forms of tourism.
What are your expectations for the coming months?
We can respond, identify safe destinations and help people feel comfortable travelling abroad. In a way, we have already achieved this without support. But it could all collapse, leaving us without activity until October or November.
Despite borders reopening, is fear of the virus still slowing sales?
Covid-19 presents two problems. One is the disease itself: some countries currently allow travel and others do not. Then there is social hypochondria: you plan a trip, but people around you question it without considering the circumstances. There is also fear. We can manage caution, but not fear.
Is it possible to travel safely right now?
We're selling trips right now. The list of countries where you can travel is quite long. There are also a number of countries where they still don't let us in. For example, countries throughout South-East Asia, which have been very little touched by the pandemic. Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar or Thailand have had very few cases, but their entry restrictions greatly reduce the destinations where we can offer trips.