It has been a brutal year for travel, so we’re counting down the days to the new Covid cert
JULY 19 has been declared Freedom Day, after which we can travel abroad with a vaccination passport – fingers crossed. But how will this work? What safeguards are there for holidaymakers? And will it really even happen? Paul Hackett, CEO of Click&Go and new president of the Irish Travel Agents Association (at the most difficult period in its history), tells us all about it… and his own personal finances.
What are the risks of booking holidays now?
The EU Digital Covid Cert, which is due to be effective from July 19 should bring certainty – provided people are booking to travel from July 19 within the EU, they should be fine. It will be more straightforward for people who are fully vaccinated to travel and also for those who have recovered from Covid. The only risks are for those travelling and relying on negative test results.
Will the Government get it done on time?
It has been outsourced, which is good. IBM and SalesForce are delivering the EU certificate. On that basis it will be delivered on time. We’ve already seen it rolled out in a number of EU countries, so once launched, it should be easily accessible to everyone.
What protections can travel agents really offer right now?
Financial protection, security, knowledge, and advice… If you
DIY your holiday there is no financial protection and you must do all the work.
Didn’t the airlines mess consumers around over cash refunds the last time around?
There have been delays with refunds, but the refunds have and are coming through. EU legislation and regulation protects the consumer.
The issue is where Irish Government advice says avoid non-essential travel – and flights are operating. In those cases, you have only two choices – date change or travel.
How badly did Covid-19 hit the industry?
Apart from two high-profile collapses, travel agents have survived over 15 months with no income and 2021 looks like delivering less than 20% of a normal year’s income. The only support Irish travel agents are getting is the wage subsidy and that is desperately unfair given our trading is directly impacted by public health restrictions and guidance.
Are antigen tests the answer? Antigen tests would be a great addition to the overall arsenal for travel, events, healthcare , universities etc. The Governmentcommissioned Ferguson report was very clear on the benefits of Antigen, but the CMO and NPHET think otherwise and their opinion trumps everything.
How did your own company get through Covid-19?
With great difficulty and a stellar effort from our staff. It has been the most awful period for the company, our staff, customers and suppliers. We had no redundancies and did our best to retain everyone but with ongoing pay cuts and uncertainty on travel we lost over 30% of our team.
Have you ever struggled to make ends meet?
Right now is not easy. I am on a 50% pay cut and working full time. All my team are on significant pay cuts, and they have been since April 2020.
What is the most expensive thing you bought for fun?
A new car for the first time in my life for my 40th birthday and I also got the car reg 40-0-40
What is your biggest money mistake?
An investment in an educational business that failed. I should have done more research but hindsight…
Best investment?
Buying my first house in 1990, and an Asian property fund.