Events

Join Our Team as a Luxury Travel Designer

We are looking to recruit a luxury travel designer to join our growing team.  The demand for luxury, tailor-made holidays is currently incredibly high and the ideal candidate will be an experienced travel consultant who is used to dealing with high-end clients and selling holidays all over the world.

Job Title:              Luxury Travel Designer

Based at:              Haslemere Travel Ltd, Haslemere, Surrey

Reports to:           Managing Director

Employment Basis:  Full Time – Monday to Friday 09:00 – 17:00 (Saturdays – by appointment only)

Job purpose:      

To design and sell tailor-made luxury holidays (and services) to clients, both face to face and over the telephone.  To support other members of the well-travelled and knowledgeable sales team.  To provide exceptional service and deal with all bookings from start to finish.  This is a varied and challenging role for a candidate looking to grow their career in the luxury travel industry, with an award winning and highly respected company.

Key Responsibilities:

  • To provide advice and guidance to clients on tailor-made holidays, using your own and colleagues’ experience.
  • Meeting sales targets as set out by senior management, following a successful probation period.
  • Liaising with a variety of independent tour operators to secure allocations and best prices where possible
  • To provide advice on travel information including visas, passport validity and travel insurance – help may be needed to acquire these.
  • To provide country and destination information.
  • To sell where appropriate, travel insurance, car hire, airport hotels and car parking
  • Research flights and hotels based on the client’s interests and previous travels.
  • Refer clients to booking conditions
  • To follow up on new and existing enquiries
  • Full responsibility for booking process including invoice details, taking payment and monitoring the payment of suppliers with the accounts department
  • Deal sympathetically with complaints and refer these to management
  • As a team member, support colleagues i.e. with work load, destination knowledge, technical expertise and share such varied duties such as brochure ordering and storage, general housekeeping, post, health & safety and window displays.
  • Share colleagues duties and bookings when they are on educationals and holidays; twinning (‘buddy’) system.
  • To actively get involved in the promotion of the business through client events, social media and marketing ideas.
  • To actively improve your destination and product knowledge through online and in-person training events.  To travel on overseas educations where required.
  • To be a proactive ambassador for the business

 

About You:

  • To have a ‘can do’ approach. Our ethos is ‘Nothing is impossible’.
  • Able to lead a sales conversation over video call, phone and in person.
  • A confident and articulate and effective communicator with the ability to convey expertise to clients.
  • Previous independent travel agency or tour operator experience
  • In depth travel knowledge as either a client or from educational trips, whilst working in travel
  • Previous role in a face to face sales environment
  • General computer literacy
  • To demonstrate honesty, integrity and a genuine passion for travel.
  • To have the confidence to run the agency (on occasions) whilst colleagues are away on educational visits/annual leave.

 

Employment Terms:

  • Competitive salary and bonus scheme
  • Full Time 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday (Saturdays by appointment only and occasional).
  • Current holiday entitlement – 20 days plus bank holidays.  On completion of a successful probation period, 5 additional days will be added.  The additional days are given to take into consideration time spent away on fam trips and evening supplier events.
  • To broaden your product and sales knowledge each consultant is required to take overseas educationals.  These will not be taken out of your holiday entitlement and all expenses will be covered by Haslemere Travel.
  • Attend additional product and sales training courses both in-house and off-site and also trade events.
  • A day off per year to support a charity, local support group or community work of your choice.
  • Pension
  • Access to staff travel benefits

 

At Haslemere Travel we pride ourselves on being an equitable work place that is fully focussed on celebrating a diverse and inclusive work environment.  

We look forward to receiving your CV, covering letter and list of destinations that you have travelled to, via email to [email protected]

 

 

Over the past year, our website blog posts have been a little different to those pre pandemic.  Our aim has been to fill you full of travel inspiration, to keep you dreaming of those wonderful destinations still to be discovered and to bring you the most up to date travel advice.

Originally promised for Monday 12th April, the Global Travel Task Force has released their report a few days early and we have broken this down into an easy to digest set of questions and answers.

Please find below the most relevant details about how (we understand) that International travel will commence.

There are still some elements that are unknown and we believe that these will follow over the next couple of weeks.  

The transport secretary, Grant Shapps said on the BBC this morning “this is the first time I can come on and say that I am not advising people not to go away this summer” – what excellent news!

 

Q:  Will international travel resume on 17th May?

A:  This is the earliest date that international travel will resume.  At this point it will no longer be illegal to travel and the ‘permission to travel form’ will be removed, meaning travellers would no longer need to prove they have a valid reason to leave the country.

Q: Where can I go from 17th May?

A: This is not yet clear, but in a BBC interview this morning, the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that it would be 2-3 weeks before it was……I will update you, as soon as I know more.

Q: What does the traffic light system mean?

A:  When international travel commences, countries will be classified as Green, Amber or Red, with the addition of a new category ‘Green Watchlist’ .

Green – Arrivals will need to take a pre-departure test (likely a lateral flow test) as well as a PCR test on or before day 2 of their arrival back into the UK, BUT will not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive a positive result) or take any additional tests, halving the cost of tests on their return from holiday.

Amber – Arrivals will need to quarantine for a period of ten days and take a pre-departure test, a PCR test on day 2 and day 8.  There is also the option for Test to Release on day 5 to end self-isolation early.

Red – Arrivals will be subject to restrictions currently in place for “red list” countries which includes a 10 day stay in a managed quarantine hotel, pre-departure testing and PCR testing on day 2 and 8

Green Watchlist – To give passengers more certainty when travelling, a “Green Watchlist” will be introduced to help identify countries most at risk of moving from Green to Amber. The watchlist will provide greater assurance for those who wish to travel abroad. The allocation of countries will be kept under review and respond to emerging evidence, with a particular focus on Variants of Concern
 

 

Q:  What about cruising? 

A: The UK government has confirmed that domestic cruises will restart in England no earlier than 17 May. This report sets out a framework for a risk-based approach to managing a safe restart of international travel, underpinned by analytical evidence. Therefore, the UK government will restart international cruises alongside the wider restart of international travel, in line with the “traffic light” system.

Q:  How will the government / scientist decide which countries are on which list?

A: Key factors in the assessment of a country will include 1.  the percentage of their population that have been vaccinated, 2.  the rate of infection, 3.  the prevalence of variants of concern and 4.  the country’s access to reliable scientific data and genomic sequencing.

Q:  Where can I get a PCR test and how much will it cost?

A: The cost and availability of PRC testing has faced much criticism as the prices in the UK far exceed those in other countries.  The government have advised that they are working with the private sector to drive these costs down and increase availability.  If you have a holiday booked with Haslemere Travel and it is necessary for you to take a PCR test, we will provide you with a list of facilities where you can book these.

​Q: Will I need a ‘Vaccine Passport’?

A: The UK will also play a leading role in the development of international standards around a digital travel certification system. The Department for Transport is working across government to consider the role certification could play in facilitating outbound travel, for those countries, which have systems in place. Work also continues to develop a system that would facilitate travel certification for inbound international travel.

Q: How often will the restrictions be reviewed?

A: Restrictions will be formally reviewed on the 28 June to take account of the domestic and international health picture and to see whether current measures could be rolled back. Further formal reviews will take place at checkpoints no later than 31 July and 1 October

Q: Will I still need to complete a PLF (Passenger Locator Form)?

A: To ensure the UK’s borders remain safe and efficient when passenger flows increase, the Government has also announced plans to digitise the Passenger Locator Form, integrating it into the UK border system and enabling checks to take place at e-gates by Autumn 2021.

Q:  What is the best way to ensure that I am fully informed and my holiday is fully protected?

A: Simple – book with a fully bonded and financially protected travel company, like us.  We will always provide you with honest and impartial advice and guidance from our first conversation and until you return home.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps:

“International travel is vital – it boosts businesses and underpins the UK economy – but more than that, it brings people together, connects families who have been kept apart, and allows us to explore new horizons.

“The framework announced today will help allow us to reopen travel safely and sustainably, ensure we protect our hard-won achievements on the vaccine roll out and offer peace of mind to both passengers and industry as we begin to take trips abroad once again.”

 

For any further questions, please call us on 01428 658777 or email gemma@haslemeretravel.co.uk

 

Throughout 2020 we have all been somewhat consumed by something other than BREXIT, however, with the countdown on, to the end of the year, we wanted to put together some top tips, for travelling ‘post BREXIT’ (from 1stJanuary 2021).  As always, if you are a client of ours we will be talking to you directly, about the specifics that may affect your booking.

Passports

When travelling within Europe, you have always been able to do so, right up until your passport expires. From 1stJanuary 2021, you will need to ensure that you have 6 months validity on your passport from your date of return.  You may be refused entry in to a country if this is not in place.

We would urge you to check your passports as a matter of priority and make an application as soon as possible.  There will be a great many people affected by this new rule.  Turnaround times at the passport office are currently at around 3-4 weeks, but this is likely to become longer with increased demand.

To complicate matters further, if you have a passport that expires at the end of 2021 or early 2022, its possible that you could still be denied entry into an EU country, if you do not renew you passport now.  When some UK passports were renewed 9-10 years ago, they were given an additional 9 months validity. From 1stJanuary 2021, this additional 9 months will not be recognised.

At The Airport

You will no longer be able to use EU fast-track passport control and customs lanes.

Travel Insurance & EHIC

If you are travelling on or after 1stJanuary 2021, the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) will no longer be valid.

Please ensure that you take our adequate travel insurance every time you travel overseas and should you have any questions about this, please do let us know.

If you are a UK state pensioner living in the EU before the end of 2020, you will be able to use the EHIC beyond 2020, but you must apply for a new card.

EHIC is also valid for students, who have started a course in the EU before the end of 2020, until their course finishes.  Again they will require new cards.

Driving License

When driving in EU countries from 1stJanuary 2021 onwards, you will need to carry your UK driving license, but you may also need an IDP (International Driving Permit). The type of IDP will depend on the country you are diving in / through.

IDP’s can be purchased through the Post Office at a cost of £5.50.

Car Insurance

You will require a ‘green card’ when driving in the EU.  This is proof that you have motor insurance cover for driving abroad.  If you are towing a caravan or trailer you will need to carry separate green cards.  We would suggest contacting your vehicle insurance company at least 6 weeks prior to travelling to make the necessary arrangements.

GB Stickers

You will need to display a GB (Great Britain) sticker on the rear of your vehicle even if you have a number plate with the Euro symbol.

Travelling with Pets

Sadly if you are travelling with your pet, the Pet Passport will no longer be valid.  Please speak to your veterinarian at least 4 months prior to travel, to discuss the necessary procedures for the country you are travelling to.

Mobile Data Roaming

The guarantee of free roaming throughout the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway ends on 1stJanuary 2021.

Please check with your mobile phone company, before travelling, to ensure you are aware on any charges that you may incur.

Duty Free

If you are travelling from Great Britain into the EU after 1stJanuary 2021, you can take advantage of duty-free shopping.  Current duty-free limits will increase in the new year.  There will no longer be tax-free airport sales of goods like electronics and clothing.

For any further questions about your booking and travelling after 1stJanuary 2021, please do call us on 01428 658777.

Information correct at the time of publishing – 08.12.20

The government’s Global Travel Taskforce (GTT), chaired by Transport Secretary, Grant Schapps, last week announced the new ‘Test To Release’ regime.  This has been devised to enabling the country to create a careful and balanced route out of the pandemic, bolstering international travel, whilst keeping the public safe.

Lets look at the detail…..

Q:  What is the new ‘Test To Release regime?

A:  This system will replace the current 14 day quarantine period, for passengers arriving from countries the do not have a ‘travel corridor’.  UPDATE:  From Monday 14 December, the number of days that you will need to self-isolate will be reduced from 14 days to 10 days

Q:  When will this come into effect?

A:  From Tuesday 15thDecember 2020

Q: How will this work?

A:  Following your return from a non ‘travel corridor’ country, you will quarantine for 5 days, taking a PCR test on the 5thday. Once you receive your negative result, you are free to return to work / school / normal life.

Q: Where can I take a test?

A:  The government have said they will release a list of approved testing facilities.  You may take your test at any one of these. UPDATE 15.12.20 – The government has today released a list of private providers.  Please follow the link to see the up to date list.

Q:  Will I have to book?

A:  Yes and you will need to do this before you depart, as you will have to declare the test centre upon entry to the UK.

Q:  How much will the test cost?

A: This will depend on the clinic that you use, however the cost of testing is significantly less than when testing commenced during the summer.

Q: Do I have to go to a testing facility?

A:  There is the option to visit a test centre or take a test at your home.

Q:  Can I use the NHS facility for this?

A:  No, the NHS system is only for those with Covid symptoms. If you use this service you will not legally be permitted to exit quarantine early.

Q:  Do I have to quarantine for 5 days and take a test from every country?

A: No, there are a great many countries on the ‘travel coriddor’ list, with more added each week. These do not require any quarantine on your return.

Q:  What happens if I don’t want to pay to take a test?

A:  If you choose not to take a test, for whatever reason, you would continue to quarantine for 14 days, with no test at the end.

Q: How will the government know whether I have chosen to quarantine for 5 days and take a test or for 14 days with no test?

A:  Upon your return to the UK, it is mandatory to complete a Passenger Locator Form (PLF).  For arrivals from 15thDecember, you will be asked to declare your choice. If at any point you change your mind about the 5/14 day quarantine, you will have to submit another PLF.

Q:  Will travel always be like this?

A:  Highly unlikely.  As we move ever closer to a vaccine, this is seen as a stepping stone. 

Please note this information is accurate as of 29.11.20 and is subject to change.  For official government advice, please follow the link.

Haslemere Travel is delighted to be taking part in HOLIDAY TO HELP OUT week.

Holiday To Help Out is an initiative organised by the travel industry aimed at exciting clients about future holidays and highlighting some fantastic offers.

These special offers are available for bookings made between 2-8 November, for travel in 2020/21 or beyond, and ONLY available through travel agents…..like Haslemere Travel!

A whole host of our favourite suppliers have signed up to offer, discounts, savings and added value and the list is growing by the day!

Please see below for the suppliers involved and the deals that are currently in place….more to come! 

List updated on 29.10.2- at 11:00

  • Arosa River Cruises – Additional 5% discount on all 2021 cruises
  • Acklams Holidays
  • Adventure Tours UK – 10% of all small group tours PLUS save £200 on tailor-made adventures
  • Africa & Beyond – Saving of £350 per person on a South Africa holiday
  • Africa Collection – 10% discount on 8-night Botswana holiday
  • Airways Holidays – £50 per couple discount off any Channel Island package holiday (min. 4 night stay)
  • Alfa Travel – £10pp off all 2020 & 2021 coach and self drive holidays
  • Amadeus River Cruises – 5% off all river cruises
  • American Cruise Lines – 5% off all holidays
  • APT – €100 onboard credit for select European sailings
  • Arena River Cruises – Free Premium Package (worth up to £280pp) PLUS low deposit of £25pp
  • Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai – Complimentary upgrade to Platinum Half Board (includes free flow of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages)
  • Avalon Waterways – Additional discount of £100 per person
  • Beachcomber Tours – 40% discount on new bookings to the Beachcomber Hotels in Mauritius
  • Cape Verde Experience – £100 off per couple on any package holiday
  • Celebrity Cruises – $100 on-board spend with every stateroom
  • Celestyal Cruises – Additional 15% off select sailings PLUS zero solo traveller supplement
  • Citalia – £100 discount off any Citalia booking
  • Club Med – An additional 5% off all Club Med holidays (on top of existing offers)
  • Collette – 5% off all holidays
  • Contiki – An exclusive additional £25 off Contiki’s current deals
  • Coral Expeditions – 5% off all holidays
  • Corsican Places – £100 off per couple on any package holiday
  • Cosmos – Additional discount of £50 per person
  • CV Villas – Free car hire + exclusive £100 discount
  • Cyplon – Free upgrade to half board and up to 15% off selected Paphos hotels
  • Discover Egypt – 5% off Discover Egypt holidays departing in 2021 and 2022
  • Domes Resorts – €50 resort credit PLUS one meal
  • EasyJet Holidays – £50 off per booking (subject to min. spend of £800 per booking)
  • Elegant resorts – Complimentary room upgrade in Crete PLUS 50% off luxury break in Indonesia
  • Emerald Waterways – Free all inclusive upgrade (premium drinks package) on select cruises OR €150 onboard credit on select sailings
  • Emirates Holidays
  • Encounters Travel – 10% off all Egypt tours & 5% off other destinations in 2021/2022
  • Exodus Travel – 10% off selected tours
  • Explore
  • Exsus – Free lounge passes on departures from UK, PLUS Champagne (or non-alcoholic equivalent) on arrival in resort
  • Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – £100 on board spend for 2021 sailings of 5-16 nights
  • Fred Holidays – 5% off all holidays
  • Friendship Travel – $150 resort credit; 3 nights free; room upgrades – all on selected hotels
  • G Adventures – Save 15% on 500+
    G Adventures Tours
  • GIC – The Villa Collection – £100 per couple off any new 2021 holiday
  • Goa Experience – £100 off per couple on any package holiday
  • Gold Crest Holidays – Save up to £50 per person
  • If Only – Complimentary room upgrade; $200 resort coupon; kids stay free
  • Inghams – £100 per booking off all holidays
  • Inside Asia – £200 per person off any tailor-made trips to Asia (min spend £3,000 per person)
  • Inside Japan – £200 per person off small group tours or tailor-made trips to Japan (min spend £3,000 per person)
  • Insight Vacations -15% off 2021 holidays
  • ITC – Save up to £300 on all holidays
  • Into World – 5% off ALL tours; 10% off those with ’Holiday to Help Out’ logo
  • Intrepid – Up to 15% off Intrepid’s range of small group adventures
  • Jetset – £140 per booking discount (applies to any package holiday 10 nights or more, departing 2021)
  • Just Go Holidays – £10pp off all holidays departing in 2021
  • Just You – Free case of wine when you book a Just You holiday
  • Kirker Holidays – A bottle of Pol Roger champagne per booking
  • Latin Routes – £100 discount per booking PLUS a case of South American wine
  • Le Boat – Additional 5% discount on all boating holidays
  • Ledra Hotels & Villas – 3-course meal at an awarded restaurant
  • Leger Holidays – £50pp on a 9day+ Europe Coach tour PLUS range of other offers
  • Lusso – £200 discount on any Lusso holiday
  • Luxury Gold – 15% off 2021 holidays
  • Mercury Holidays – £50 off per person on beach holidays
  • National Holidays – £10pp off all 4&5 day breaks departing in 2021
  • Not In the Guide Books – 5% off all experiences
  • Olympic Holidays – £60 per person discount
  • One Fine Stay – Complimentary £100 guest services / concierge credit
  • Pandaw – 5% off all holidays
  • Perfect Weddings Abroad – Save up to £500 on weddings with a free wedding package upgrade
  • Planet Holidays – Save up to £600 per couple on holidays to Greece and Cyprus
  • Polar Routes – £250 discount per booking
  • Ponant – 5% off all holidays
  • Premier Holidays – £50 per couple discount on any long-haul holiday and an afternoon tea per person for any Channel Islands booking
  • Rainbow Tours – Save up to £300 on all holidays
  • Red Sea Holidays
  • Regent Holidays – Save up to £300 on all holidays
  • Riviera Travel – Up to €400 on board credit per couple for 2021 and 2022 European river cruises
  • Sandals – £100 off bookings for 2022
  • Santas Lapland – £100 per booking off all holidays 
  • Sardinian Places – £100 off per couple on any package holiday
  • Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours – An additional £200pp discount on select river cruises
  • Shearings – £20pp on all UK coach tours for 2021 departures PLUS a range of other offers
  • Star Clippers – €100 onboard credit on select sailings
  • Stuba – £50 off a min. stay of £1,000 across 114,000+ hotels
  • Sunvil – Two weeks for the price of one on selected holidays to Greece
  • Tanzania Odyssey – 10% off any Nomad Tanzania safari
  • Tee The World – Free HB and 2 drinks on luxury Dubai golf holidays
  • The Artisan Company – Up to £150pp off a Northern Lights Holiday
  • The Gambia Experience – £100 off per couple on any package holiday
  • The Golf Travel Centre
  • The Villa Collection – 5% off all properties in all destinations
  • Trafalgar – 15% off 2021 holidays
  • TransIndus – 10% off all group tours departing in 2021/22 PLUS £200 off tailor-made holidays in Asia (min spend £1,999)
  • Travel Gallery – Up to 50% off featured hotels on 14-night luxury touring holiday in Sri Lanka
  • Travelpack – Free upgrade to all-inclusive PLUS free room upgrade & free transfers on Maldives break
  • Travelsphere – Free case of wine when you book a Travelsphere holiday
  • Tru Travels – 15% discount on all TruTravels tours
  • Undiscovered Mountains – £100 discount per booking PLUS free VIP welcome hamper with local products and champagne (or non-alcoholic equivalent) on arrival
  • Uniworld – £100 per person ship board credit
  • Virgin Voyages – $100 US on-board credit on any Virgin Voyage package
  • Wendy Wu
  • You Travel – Up to 10% off selected hotels

NB: Suppliers in Blue & Pink were added on 23/10. new additions, added on 28/10 are in orange.

Q:  How do I know what deals are available?

A: Keep checking back for regular updates.  We will be updating the website often.

Q: When will the deals & offers become available?

A: These offers and deals will become available between 2ndand 8thNovember, exclusively via a travel agent.  These are not available to book direct with the aforementioned suppliers.

Q:  Do I have to travel between 2ndand 8thNovember 2020?

A:  No, you just have to book during this week.

Q:  What holiday dates will these offers be available for?

A:  Each of our suppliers will have a slightly different policy, but many will be for 2021 travel and some for 2022…especially the cruise companies.

Q: Is there a minimum spend?

A:  In most cases there isn’t, but if there is, we will advise you during the enquiry process.

Q:  Do I have to book these deals via a Travel agent.

A: Yes.  They will not be available else where.

Q: Will these deals be available after 8thNovember 2020.

A:  To our knowledge they will not.

Any other questions, please do feel free to call us on 01428 658777, pop into the shop, email: [email protected] or contact your favourite Elite Travel Consultant

There is no denying that the Coronavirus has dominated the headlines for the past few weeks.  Many reports have been entirely sensationalised and because of this we have decided to put together some helpful information that we believe to be factual and keep things in perspective for both our town of Haslemere and our clients travelling the world.

Coronavirus in Haslemere

Haslemere had its first recorded case of Coronavirus on Friday 28thFebruary 2020.  At this point Coronavirus confirmations were exceptionally low in the UK (this was the 20thcase), but what made this case slightly unique was it was the first case in the UK to be contracted within the country (i.e. not from travel overseas).

It is understandable that local residents would want to ask questions and raise issues, but I don’t think anyone was prepared for the sensationalised reporting that followed. Some media outlets reported the facts, but many chose to trawl the local social media message boards and instead compile article based solely around the comments of locals, who I’m sure never imaged their words would reach the nation.  This quickly proved to the people of Haslemere, and the surrounding areas, that what we were seeing reported on the news, and in the press, was far from realistic in our own town.  There was no mass ‘panic’ as had been written about, in Haslemere, and business really was as usual in our fabulous town.

It has however been a little quieter than usual, although at the end of last week, this did turn itself around.  Local retailers have pulled together to spread the message far and wide, that we are all doing everything we can to reduce any risk to our staff and clients/customers and there is no reason not to continue to visit Haslemere and shop locally.  Without the continued support of our loyal customers, the sad reality is that many small, High Street businesses may not survive, and for a fragile retail environment, that is something which none of us want.

So the message from Haslemere is……we are open, we are following the guidance from Public Heath England and we are looking forward to welcoming visitors to our fantastic independent businesses.

Sri Lanka Sunset

Coronavirus and Travel

With such a variety of press stories circulating, we fully appreciate that it can be really daunting to wade through the fact and the fiction.  We are therefore only relying on reputable sources to provide us with facts. We also feel that a healthy dose of perspective is also needed at times like this. 

It is not our place to disseminate media articles reporting on Coronavirus, but we are more than happy to discuss with you any of your questions and concerns, in relation to the holiday you have booked or would like to book.  We hope the following Q&A is of use, but please call us on 01428 658777 if you would like to know anything more.

Q: What precautions should I take when travelling?

A: You should wash your hands often; use hand sanitiser gel when washing is not possible; cover your mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing; and avoid contact with anyone who is unwell.

You should also check and follow the latest advice from the Foreign Office, but we can assist with this where necessary.

Q: I have booked a holiday, can I cancel or change my holiday free of charge?

A: Generally speaking, only if the Foreign Office advice changes to advise against all travel or all but essential travel to a specific destination.

If the FCO advice says it’s fine to travel, but it is your choice not to, then tour operators can impose their standard cancellation charges.

Some of our tour operator partners and cruise lines have increased their flexibility, so please do check with us and we will look into this on your behalf.

Q: Can I get my deposit back, if I choose not to travel?

A: If the FCO advice allows for travel to a destination, legally our tour operator partners do not have to refund your deposit, if you no longer want to travel.

Q: What are my rights if my holiday is cancelled by the airline or tour operator?

A:  If your holiday is cancelled by the tour operator due to coronavirus then you will be entitled to a full refund of the holiday price, but not compensation.  This is because the cancellation is due to unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances.

Likewise, if an airline cancels your flight, the airline will normally rebook you onto the next available service, and cover your accommodation and refreshment costs in accordance with EC261 (the EU regulation on flight delay and disruption).

Q: What happens if I am impacted by an outbreak whilst on holiday, such as being stuck abroad at a hotel? How do I get home?

A: This is a very tricky situation. Currently, if your are stuck abroad because you/your hotel/your ship have been placed in quarantine and subsequently you miss your flight as a result, it’s the customer’s responsibility to cover the cost of replacement flights.

Whilst many of our partners are revising their terms with increased flexibility, it is not the liability of a tour operators or airline to provide a refund or replacement flight, as they were still able to fulfil the original booking.

Q: Will my travel insurance cover me against Coronavirus and its impact on my holiday.

A: We are not 100% certain, as every insurance policy is different.  We suggest that you speak to your travel insurance provider and ask any relevant questions of them.  For all bookings, we strongly suggest that you take out your policy from the date you book your holiday, to cover your pre travel period, as well as the period you will be away.

Please rest assured that Haslemere Travel will do whatever they can to assist you, if your holiday plans are disrupted.  We will also work on your behalf to negotiate with our suppliers, ensuring we gain the most flexibility for you.  For ANY questions please call us on 01428 658777.

One final insight comes in the form of a short video put together by Farina Azam, a respected travel lawyer in our industry and partner at Kemp Little LLP.

Welcome to our newly designed website!

We felt that it was about time that we brought you a new and updated website, that reflects the changing face of travel and the services that we provide to our clients.

As experts in luxury travel, it is sometimes difficult to convey exactly what we do, as our service is exceptionally personal and tailored to each individual client.  This is the reason you can’t make a holiday purchase directly from our site.

Many of our clients have been booking with us for 20+ years, so we know their likes, dislikes, habits and requirements, without them having to tell us.  Knowing this amount of detail always ensures that we maximise the value of their booking and exceed their expectations.

For those new to us at Haslemere Travel…..welcome! We hope that this small insight into the way that we work, what we offer and how we plan holidays, inspires you to pick up the phone and give us a call,  or contact us via email.  We can’t wait to help you plan your next holiday adventure.

Now, please allow us to walk you through the new areas of our website…..Enjoy

To allow you to have more flexibility on how you search for holiday inspiration, we have included new options on how to ‘browse’.

Check out our Destination  section, where you can take a look at holidays by the area of the world that you’d most like to visit.

If however you are not sure where you’d like to travel to, but know what ‘type’ of holiday you would like, then check out Holiday Types.  

You can search here for inspiration on romantic holidays, villa holidays, holidays centred around wildlife….and much more.

Our Hot Deals section brings  you some of the very latest offers that we have.  It would be impossible to list every offer, to every destination, so this is just a taster.  Always get in touch to see what else we have, if you can’t find what you are looking for.

Why Book With Haslemere Travel?  If you are an existing client, we hope you already know the answer, but if you are new to Haslemere Travel then you will find some client testimonials, the top 10 reasons to book with us and the all important information about financial protection.  This may be the dull part, but to us it is as important as choosing the right holiday.

In this area you will find links to our social media pages.  Please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  This is where you can keep up with where we are travelling to and get the very latest information on travel.

The Haslemere Travel Chronicle is a fancy name for our ‘blog’.  Check back regularly for our trip write ups, news of the latest hotel openings, our thoughts on what is happening in the world of travel or inspiration for your next trip.

The team at Haslemere Travel are always travelling, but Gemma and Ray travel throughout the year, in search of the very best hotels that the world has to offer.  It takes somewhere exceptional to make it into the Directors Choicebut rest assured, those properties that do, really are the most exquisite and have been personally tested.  We will add more of these properties, but only if they meet our high standards and have been personally inspected.

If you would like to know a little more about our travel experts then take a look at our Meet The Team area.

For our cruise lovers, which we know there are many, we have dedicated an entire section of the website just to our Cruise Club.  As with the ‘Hot Deals’ section, there are some fantastic cruise offers, but we will always have more, if you give us a call.

And don’t forget that we have a general holiday search function that can be accessed by clicking on the magnifying glass at the top right hand corner of the page.

We hope that this helps you to navigate your way to finding some fantastic ideas for your next trip, but please call us if you can’t find what you are looking for and also to book your holiday.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

 

We are thrilled to be launching our first ‘Around The World’ holiday show on Sunday 10th June 2018.

Our expert team of luxury travel consultants will be joined by a host of wonderful luxury travel suppliers and hotel representatives for what promises to be a fantastic day – with exclusive deals, as well as expert, entertaining talks with plenty of top tips and prizes to give away.

If you are looking for inspiration and advise for travel in 2018 or beyond, then this is the place to be.

Come along and enjoy complimentary refreshments, entertainment and plenty of travel talk, as our VIP guest.

Sunday 10th June 2018 – 11 am – 3 pm,
The Old Thorns Golf & Country Estate, Longmoor Road, Liphook GU30 7PE

REGISTER HERE

Come and meet our favourite suppliers including:

  • Red Savannah Tailor-made Holidays
  • Lusso
  • Classic Collection Holidays
  • Beachcomber Tours
  • Kirker Holidays
  • If Only
  • Distinctive Americas
  • African Pride
  • Prestige Holidays
  • Abercrombie & Kent
  • Inside Asia Tours
  • Visions Holidays
  • Cox & Kings
  • Vacations to America
  • Travel Gallery
  • Ionian island Holidays
  • Sunvil
  • Cyplon Holidays
  • TransIndus
  • Belmond Hotels, Trains & River Cruises
  • GP Associates – hotel representatives
  • Fred & Mildred – hotel representatives
  • Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

To book a holiday or discuss your next travel adventure please call the team on 01428 658777

 

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