A travel company boss revealed he\u2019s reopened all his 39 shops in North Wales and the North West after returning from a fact-finding mission to Spain.<\/p>\n
Don Bircham and Ruth Ward of Hays\u00a0Travel\u00a0North West say the visit to stay in an apartment near\u00a0 Calle de Mijas, 20 minutes from Marbella, had given them renewed confidence the industry will bounce back from the coronavirus crisis in the long-term.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year the couple celebrated 20 years in the\u00a0 business and said the fact they were a successful, stable business would stand them in good stead in recovering from the Covid-19 disaster.<\/p>\n
The company\u2019s shops include branches in \u00a0Wrexham, Mold, Flint, Connah\u2019s Quay, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Colwyn Bay.<\/p>\n
Bookings nose-dived to five per cent of their normal level after the lockdown was imposed but the business is taking off again after so-called air bridges to popular European destinations including Spain were established.<\/p>\n
They\u2019re now back up to 60 per cent of the seasonal average \u2013 and rising.<\/p>\n
According to Mr Bircham, there was a huge pent up demand from their customers who were desperate for a break in the sun.<\/p>\n
It was, he said, vital for him to understand more about the \u201cnew normal\u201d in Spanish resorts which continued to be hugely popular with their customers.<\/p>\n
Mr Bircham said: \u201cWe always need to know our product inside out so we can give our customers the best insight and advice \u2013 but it\u2019s especially important now to get a feel for the whole experience, in terms of the airport, the flight, the accommodation and of course what it\u2019s like in the resort itself.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m delighted to say that every single aspect of the week was very positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe flew from Liverpool to Malaga with Ryan Air. The car parks are significantly quieter so we were able to park directly opposite to the terminal and the airport experience couldn\u2019t have been better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe put our masks on as soon as we entered the terminal and security was really very similar to before other than the fact that with the queue was socially distanced. \u201cIt was pretty straight forward. There were fewer shops open in the terminal building but you could still grab a coffee and a sandwich.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur flight was about 70 per cent full at the way out and about 50 per cent full at the way back and there is absolutely no problems on the aircraft wearing your mask. The toilet system is far better than it ever was. Rather than that silly queue at the front and the back, you press your buzzer, the stewardess will come up to and tell you when it’s your turn to go. So, it’s all very easy, it’s all very organised.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is a full snack service on the aircraft, teas soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, hot food, cold food, it’s all served as normal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only thing that’s missing is magazines or leaflets or paper to avoid contamination but you don’t need all that stuff anyway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the resort I can’t emphasise how wonderful it is. Its’ just so easy. The only noticeable difference is that everybody keeps their mask in their pocket.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only time we wore a mask was walking into a supermarket and walking into a bar and restaurant. But the minute you’re in the bar and restaurant it can be taken off immediately.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beaches are still great but they’re obviously quieter which is not\u00a0 necessarily a bad thing in one sense. It’s fantastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll the bars and restaurants are open so there’s no feeling of emptiness whatsoever. People are going about their business and enjoying themselves. The locals are out eating in the restaurants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe\u00a0 sanitisation\u00a0 they’ve put in place is excellent. There is somebody sat outside every public toilet insisting that you sanitise before you go in and after you go out. They’re constantly cleaning them.<\/p>\n
“The Spanish people were delighted to see us and it\u2019s even cheaper than normal.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou could tell it was a real pleasure they were beginning to see a trickle of tourists arriving and those numbers progressively growing every day. They’re doing everything to make them welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are plenty of good offers. You can get a meal deal there for nine Euros per head for\u00a0 three courses with a drink.<\/p>\n
There is no issue with the swimming pools \u2013 you just sanitise your hands and feet before and after.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe trip has given me a lot of peace of mind. There has never been a better time to go. You’ll have a great break.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the Covid-19 pandemic struck, Hays Travel put 80 per cent of their 220 staff on furlough and closed all 39 branches.<\/p>\n
The remainder of the staff worked from home dealing with live bookings, alterations and cancellations.<\/p>\n
The UK Government\u2019s Job Retention Scheme had been a \u201creal blessing\u201d because it enabled the company\u00a0 to retain\u00a0 staff throughout and meant they were well-placed to cater for the surge in demand.<\/p>\n