The Travel Network Group to axe 30 staff as Covid continues to hammer industry

Wednesday, 28 Aug, 2020 0

The Travel Network Group is to axe almost a quarter of its workforce amid the Covid crisis and subsequent quarantine restrictions that have strangled the recovery of international travel.

The consortium, which operates the Travel Trust Association, Worldchoice and Independent Travel Experts, will shed 30 of its 112 staff, including 18 from its head office in Woking.

Chief Executive Gary Lewis said the decision was unavoidable but made with a ‘heavy heart’.

Consultation with staff began as early as March as the business assessed the potential impact of Covid.

But the review was put on ice when the job retention scheme was introduced, with affected employees placed on furlough.

Following changes to the job retention scheme in July, TTNG said it will not continue with the furlough scheme beyond 30 September and will resume the staff consultations.

From October government contribution towards staff wages in the furlough scheme will fall from 70% to 60%.

The Travel Network Group Chief Executive Gary Lewis said: "It is with a heavy heart that, as a result of the ongoing global pandemic, we have had to identify 30 roles for redundancy across the whole of The Travel Network Group.

"Everyone in our team recognises that this is a difficult and uncertain time for our industry, especially the individuals whose roles are affected by this crisis.

"The recent announcements on blanket quarantine measures, FCO travel restrictions and cancellations of flights and tours have hugely impacted consumer confidence, which has amplified the challenges faced by the travel industry and has had a knock-on effect on our revenues, and our Members’ revenues."

Lewis stressed the redundancies will not negatively impact the services it provides members.

But he said it was necessary to ensure The Travel Network Group remains ‘strong, robust and able to support them now and in the future during these incredibly challenging times’.

All impacted staff are expected to leave by the end of September.

TTNG said the redundancies are part of wider cost-saving measures as a result of the pandemic.

By Steve Jones, Contributing Editor