NO-DEAL BREXIT FEAR HITS CLASSIC TOURS
Operators report dips in March and April bookings due to Brexit worries
With much to do before 29 March, Brexit – whatever form it takes – is making many enthusiasts think twice before travelling abroad in their classic.
The biggest issue is travelling between the UK and Europe; as far as classic car tours are concerned, accessing the English Channel either by rail or by sea is the biggest bone of contention, especially if a no-deal Brexit was to occur.
Classic Grand Touring’s director of operations, John Marcar, said: ‘It’s easily the most common question we’ve had from customers. We are utterly dependent on means of transport and the companies that provide it. Our customers keep asking: “Will the Eurotunnel be open?” or “Will there be long painful delays at ports?”
‘A no-deal Brexit remains a huge concern for us and our customers. We can only hope that the additional services laid on by the Government can take the load.’
John added that while a nodeal Brexit would inconvenience customers, he didn’t expect even a worst-case scenario between the UK and European Union to last forever: ‘Even the freight strikes at Calais were resolved. It was a painfully slow process, but things got through. The transition period, whatever the outcome, will be the sticking point.’ John told Classic Car Weekly that bookings well before and well after 29 March were strong; those confirming crossings up to around the Brexit leaving date, however, had dipped. He said: ‘No-one quite knows the outcome yet, so everyone is playing safe.’
Classic Grand Touring’s director, Jamie Robinson, said that there is the outside possibility of travel firms defaulting because of Brexit, should financial conditions become unfavourable. He said: ‘That’s the absolute worst scenario – but if a company was to go under because of low bookings or other issues surrounding Brexit, you would be protected provided the firm had ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) or ABTOT (Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust) backing. That should give peace of mind; the fact you can get a refund or have your holiday fulfilled should Brexit make the trip impossible before or during your holiday.’
Other firms were unbothered by Brexit, however, even in the event of a no deal outcome. Sarah Dowding, director of Classic Travelling, told Classic Car Weekly that she had run more tours in the UK last year – but for reasons unrelated to Brexit. ‘I ran more UK tours to better suit my clients’ needs.’ She confirmed that Classic Travelling had seen no change in booking rates over the March/April Brexit leaving date; her customers, Sarah said, were not concerned. ‘None of my clients have come to me saying they’re unable to book a holiday because of Brexit’, she said. Bill Telford, director of Classic Car Tours, thought that the transition period after a Brexit outcome was a bigger worry than in the short term. ‘ Whatever changes are agreed (or disagreed) will have to be enacted in the next two years, that’s when we’ll see the most disruption.
‘At the moment, there’s still plenty of interest for the next [2020] Le Mans Classic. We’ll have to wait and see.’