Inghams announces ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign to reassure skiers

Inghams Ski this week launches their ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign following an increase in holiday enquiries for the coming winter season.

As travel restrictions begin to lift, it appears skiers and snowboarders are already making plans to return to the snow following the early closures of ski resorts due to the COVID-19 crisis at the end of the 2019/20-winter season. The UK specialist tour operator, Inghams are reporting a marked rise in enquiries since the announcement to relax travel restrictions and bookings are up threefold.  In response, they’re offering holidaymakers that extra peace of mind by opening up about everything they’re doing to make sure their holidays are as safe as possible.

From letting customers know their money’s safe to delivering extra safeguards on their holidays, Inghams are offering those who’ve already booked and those starting to talk about booking, the support needed to travel with confidence again.

In a statement from Inghams, Paul Carter, CEO said:

"As more and more people begin to plan their winter holidays, despite the many uncertainties regarding COVID-19, we would like our trade partners to take comfort in the fact that we’re doing all we can to ensure their customers can safely pursue their passions again.

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, we have strived to do the right thing, and be open about our efforts. We have already seen a great number of agents transferring their customers to next year, and many new bookings for 2021, for this reason we feel it is important to share our plans and promises for the up and coming winter ski season, so our partners can help their customers can plan with confidence and know what to expect."

The Inghams’ ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign explains:

"Your money’s safe"

• Inghams is ATOL & ABTA protected. These schemes are backed by the government, so whatever happens, your money is protected.
• The ski specialist tour operator will continue to deliver their COVID-19 refund promise. If things change and they have to cancel your holiday because of COVID-19, you can pick another trip, or get a full refund. 
• Low deposits to reserve your holiday will continue. Holidays can be reserved for just £150pp, or £180pp for Canada when you book before end September 2020*
• There are no amendment fees if you need to change something.** 
• Inghams are part of a much bigger family of businesses. Their parent company is a large Swiss supermarket and retailer called Migros, so as a group, they’re stronger.
   

"Staying safe on holiday"

For the accommodation Inghams manage:

·        All Inghams staff will have COVID-specific hygiene training, along with safety equipment (PPE).

• The Inghams team will be disinfecting all communal areas several times a day, with deep cleans every transfer day.
• There will be midweek room cleans, but you can choose not to have it if you prefer no one goes into your room.
• There will no longer be any self-service food. Meals will be served to you from a buffet or at your tables—distanced from others tables—by staff wearing appropriate PPE.
• Inghams local staff will have temperature checks before every shift. Resort reps will manage everything from a central point, electronically and over the phone where possible.
• They won’t be offering any après events for large amounts of people, to reduce risk for everyone on holiday.
• Opening hours and numbers of guests in spa areas, hot tubs and swimming pools may be restricted, depending on local regulations. Where they’re open, there will be lots of extra cleaning and disinfecting.
• Everyone, including Inghams staff, will be expected to wear masks when travelling on any public transport to and from the resort, in line with all local regulations.

All Inghams partner hotels will be managed locally, compliant with the COVID-19 laws of that country. They will only work with carefully chosen, trusted partners.
 

"Inghams are with you at every step"

• The Inghams team are available to give advice while customers are thinking about booking, or preparing to go away. For that extra peace of mind, one of the Inghams in-resort team will call the customer shortly before travelling to chat through anything they might need to know about their holiday.
• When on holiday, Inghams local staff will be there to support guests if they need it. The tour operator would like their customers to know—they’re never on their own.
• Inghams can be judged by their actions. Once it was clear that destinations were shutting down, and that lockdown was coming, the Inghams team got everyone home as fast as possible, postponed holidays to next year and gave everyone a refund if they wanted one.

With 85 years of trust and experience, Inghams were touched by the vote of confidence from their customers during a crisis the world has never seen before. Agents and Customers demonstrated their trust in the brand, with many postponing the holidays they had already booked rather than cancelling.