Worcester based commercial travel specialists, Bookotel, have reported a surprisingly positive 'bounce back' from the recent terror threats on the UK and US.
The latest planned terrorist activity, uncovered on the 10th August, has prompted a mass re-evaluation the further reaching effects of this continuing menace.
The public fear factor is clearly at an all time high, the events of 9/11 and 7/7 have shaken this country to its very core, yet our resilience as a nation never ceases to astound.
European and UK economists have maintained that the effects of recent attacks have only been short-term. A drop in the tourism and travel industry has appeared only as a sharp reaction to the initial fall out.
Although consumer and investment confidence has been shaken, companies appear to have picked themselves up quickly with a strict 'business as usual' attitude. Even the initial dip in the Sterling and FTSE was ultimately short-lived.
In theory the worst hit sectors from terrorist activity include accommodation and airlines, however national commercial travel agent, Bookotel, have been monitoring the situation closely and report an encouraging outlook on the industry.
Nick Scott, Business Development Director said, "The impact of the foiled terrorist plot on the 10th August has appeared in the form of a somewhat double-edged sword. Although we have witnessed commercial draw back from flight travel, overall the effects in an economic sense have been negligible.
"The accommodation and conference meeting section of our business has received little or no economic withdrawal and the majority of flight plans are simply being altered, not cancelled altogether.
"Our main priority now is to ensure customers are kept up to date with the latest developments including hand luggage allowance, flight delays and security status.
"We have put together a few tips which may reduce the impact that these proposed threats have on businesses within the UK:
1. Keep up to date by checking the Department of Transport website - www.dft.gov.uk
2. Phone your airline the day before you or your colleagues are due to travel to confirm flight arrangements.
3. Ensure clients in countries outside the UK are kept up-to-date on protocol decisions e.g. a company stance to reduce outbound flights customers
4. Keep internal communications at a heightened level, thereby reducing fear of the unknown and maintaining a strong understanding of any strategy or travel alterations.
"The main advice we can give companies is not to be deterred by these ruthless activities, with the advanced security and excellently trained airport staff, it now appears to be a fine time to travel - in fact our managing director Simon Scott will be travelling to the US this Friday!"
As the dust settles on a traumatic week for the British and American publics it appears safe to say that it is definitely business as usual.
British commercial acumen remains as strong as ever with the public determined not to let political activism mar the fading weeks of the summer holidays.
ENDS/
Editors Notes
Issued by Jo Dudley of Haswell Holden, Business Promoters, 138 Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Worcestershire. B60 4JZ. Telephone: 01527-873937
Fax: 01527-837005 Web: www.haswellholden.com
Email: joanne.d@haswellholden.com
DIRECT: 07709894221
BOOK-O-TEL: Simon Scott, Managing Director
BOOK-O-TEL, 1st Floor, 46-48 Barbourne Road, Worcetser, WR1 1HU
Email: bookings@bookotel.com Web: www.bookotel.com
