Firstly we would like to thank everyone who has contacted us during this time, we appreciate the thoughtfulness. We have been overwhelmed by the amount of emails, messages, phone calls and clients popping in just to say “Thinking of you guys”. We've never had so much interest in our industry and we don’t mind the attention even though we would prefer it to be during more positive and predictable times.
So 'How We Are Coping' is my reason for writing to you today. We are actually doing OK. In order to be in this industry, you have to love a challenge and every hour of every day for the past few weeks have been just that. Our consultants have stepped up to the mark and put our client’s wishes and well-being as their number one priority. Their second priority has been to get as much as possible of your well-earned money refunded or to rearrange your holiday plans to suit your level of comfort. And of course, they are also busy supporting each other and keeping the office spirits up – I am so proud of them in the support they give each other (and me)! As with all industries you have to take the good with the bad. We’ve had many good years which we pride ourselves on and we’ve been through many tough years.
You may recall some of these!
The GFC.
Compass, Ozjet and Impulse Airline failures.
The 2001 collapse of Ansett.
9/11 terrorist attack.
The Pilots’ strike.
SARS virus, originating in Hong Kong and Southern China.
The Bali bombings.
The terrorists' attacks in both the UK and Europe.
We’ve weathered all these storms and each time we came out bigger and better, and yes this is certainly the worst storm. COVID-19 is by far the most far-reaching, destructive and concerning situation for our clients and also the most confusing with the media giving conflicting and mixed messages.
When my business partner, Keiran Cromie, and I purchased Brighton Travelworld in 1999 our first priority was to keep funds in reserve for a rainy day. We have never wavered from this. We are therefore happy to say that we’re in a healthy financial situation and can weather this storm, no doubt!
We look forward to rearranging all of your holiday and business trips once you are comfortable to travel again. I predict that this will be before the Melbourne winter when you will be wishing you were in Europe or someplace warm.
We expect some amazing travel deals as soon as suppliers rush to stimulate demand and fill those empty hotel beds, cabins, and plane seats so be ready to move quickly. We will be ready and waiting to assist you.
All the best whilst we ride out the COVID-19 storm.
