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Post by daveh on Sept 23, 2019 15:56:01 GMT 2
So sad and will have a big effect on several well established Roda businesses, e.g Eizabeths, Melindas, Theodoras and many others (sorry I don't now who you all are).
For those of you here on holiday nowplease visit the Thomas Cook website for information. Your Rep (who probably wont get paid may still be there to try and help......despite being in a worse situation, no job, no pay no flight home) I'm sure will try to help despite their own situation. Your apartment owners will help for sure even though they may not get fully paid.
If you are a repeat customer...……...please get full email details before you leave and book Independantly with them for next year (with flights by Easyjet, BA, Ryanair etc) to show your support. They will still be open for business.
It seems plans are in hand to get you home on the same day or close to...………..remember those who contact you are not to blame so do not "take it out" on them. They are trying to help in a very difficult situation. Patience is the key and if you end up with a day or two extra in Corfu is it that bad...….and your Employer in UK cannot blame you for the delay in getting home.
KEEP CALM AND ENJOY CORFU. Times are changing......the high street Travel Agent booking holidays is fast becoming a thing of the past......online is the way to go and more and more book direct and arrange accommodation, transfer and flights separately now. It gives you more flexibility and the price compares if you book early as soon as they are released (or late if they have seats).
Heres hoping nobody has too bad an experience getting back home.
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Post by artisans on Sept 23, 2019 20:30:25 GMT 2
Thanks for all the advice, Dave - it's a worrying time. I remember all too well what it was like in the village when Excel went under, but you can rest assured that the local businesses rallied around big time, and no one went without while they were arranging transport home. It took Jan three days to get home and she received lots of help from Adonis at Metallinos.
A few years ago, Thomas Cook were also in trouble for not adapting to changing markets. The Chief Exec was sacked with a golden handshake, but they seemed to learn nothing. In any business relationship, everyone involved needs a good deal, and it was my impression that customers & providers were abused for the sake of profit. I began to think that only the shareholders mattered, and I wouldn't mind betting they have been deserting in droves as this crisis developed.
The question now is - who will step into the breach?
Good luck everyone,
Steve
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Post by artisans on Sept 24, 2019 9:20:38 GMT 2
It seems that the 'Golden Handshake' process is still in effect and, although I understand the alleged £47 million is part of certain employment contracts, surely moral principles should take priority. Would you take your personal bonus knowing that 600,000 tourists are stranded?
The mayor of central Corfu, Meropi Ydraiou, has said that Corfu businesses have been left with thousands of Euros unpaid whilst still having to pay VAT and other obligations for which they haven't been paid. They will also not be paid their contract commissions by the bankrupt company. She has asked the government for help. I also suspect that many of the usual Corfu visitors, sent to Turkey this year as they try to recover their tourist industry, will have been with Thomas Cook. I'd rather be stranded in Greece, I think ....
Steve
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Post by daveh on Sept 24, 2019 9:44:37 GMT 2
I heard that some of those due to fly home yesterday actually did so. Instead of a morning flight it wasn't until 9pm so they had one more day here; shame it was a rather cloudy one.
Most of the Apartments who use Thomas Cook have posted on FB they will do all they can to help. They will email all existing customers whose details they have with information re future bookings be they either direct with them (and you sort own flights) or details of any new Tour Operator they may set up with. Some are also helping with airport transfers as well either by taking them personally if they have transport or arranging for Transfer Buses or Taxis as necessary. All this whilst not getting paid themselves shows how wonderful they are...…..especially as it comes towards the end of the season when everyone is getting tired after months of continual long hours working. They should be applauded and hopefully get some Government help.
It will also mean a busier off season as they set up new arrangements for 2020 and need to be online to deal with direct booking which I'm sure they will get from their regular customers. Difficult times but those in the Travel Industry are resilient and they will all bounce back for sure.
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Post by daveh on Sept 24, 2019 10:09:08 GMT 2
Sadly it seems some who did get a flight back to UK yesterday evening didn't get to the airport they departed from. SOme who wanted Manchester ended up at Heathrow (alternative was to stay at the airport in Corfu and wait where they had been all day already). Of course and to be expected once at Heathrow there was no help or information whatsoever for them. So choice of buying a flight, going to catch at train or a coach. A long journey home. Hopefully that's just day one problems (it was very short notice and I am surprised there were any flights tbh) and things will improve as the week goes on.
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Post by daveh on Sept 24, 2019 10:13:56 GMT 2
From the Greek Press...……….
The economic losses for Greek businesses in the tourism industry from the collapse of British travel firm Thomas Cook are estimated between 250 to 500 million euros, the country's tourism confederation SETE said on Monday night. SETE proposed measures to protect Greek businesses from the fallout, including an exemption from the payment of VAT on uncollected invoices from Thomas Cook, an exemption from the payment of the overnight tax for Thomas Cook tourists and a lowering of the VAT rate for tourist packages. “The government must realize the magnitude of the problem and take immediate decisions for support, to avoid the expected domino effect,” SETE President Andreas Andreadis said in a tweet.
“Our tourism has never faced such a mega-bankruptcy until today. It is a difficult case, with huge costs and many consequences that require calmness and good cooperation from all sides." Andreadis also called on everyone working in the tourism industry to treat stranded tourists with “respect and generosity.”
About 50,000 tourists remained in Greece and mainly on island resorts, the tourism minister said earlier on Monday as extra flights were booked to ease their return home. Officials said the tourists, mostly British, were on the islands of Zakynthos, Kos, Corfu, Skiathos and Crete, hitting an industry accounting for about a quarter of Greek economic output.
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Post by daveh on Sept 24, 2019 15:38:29 GMT 2
From BBC News...………. Michael Sheppard says that he and his family, who were on holiday in Corfu, "watched the breaking news with increasing dread" as their holiday was not ATOL-protected. However, they got an alternative flight home with the help of the CAA website, he says. "When we got to Corfu airport we were amazed to see four smiling Thomas Cook staff working hard to help people. "When I spoke to them they did not think they were going to be paid but they had come to help anyway - how professional, dedicated and caring - I was incredibly moved. "By 9am we were amazed to see Foreign and Commonwealth [Office] staff flown in from the UK and local staff commissioned by the CAA in fluorescent jackets appearing and setting up information stalls. "They had the passenger lists and all the information that was available and that we could want. "They could not have been more helpful so I find it odd to read people complaining of a lack of help and information at Corfu airport."
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Post by daveh on Sept 25, 2019 8:11:46 GMT 2
I am reading that some appartments using Thomas Cook will now close once their current customers have gone home; some as early as 4th October. They are assuming that allfuture booked guests will claim their ATOL refund and not rebook flights as availability is low and prices have gone through the roof. A friend in Sidari is offering rooms for 40€ a night including breakfast for the next 2 weeks before closing. The idea is that they cut their losses this season and spend time to set themselves up again as soon as possible to be able to take bookings either direct or with a new TO.
Elsewhere there are rumours that Thomas Cook will resurface; maybe under another name. Not only Fosun who were trying to save them as 25% shareholders but some other TOs who were shareholders may join together to take over parts of the business going forwards. Time will tell.
I have spoken to an owner in Roda who is helping all customers to enjoy rest of holiday and keeping them informed re flights as their time comes; arranging Transfer or giving lifts to airport. They are online to take direct bookings going forwards and have meetings arranged with other TOs to see if they can strike a new deal for next season. They wont be getting paid from Thomas Cook now so are busier than usual now for no pay; just any profits from the bar and food sales which wont even cover the wages let alone the tax due etc. There is still no news from the Government if they will waive the VAT for unpaid customers and future customers now not coming...…….this is something they are hoping will happen as they think new Government may wish to make a statement they help more!!! Lets hope they do as it will limit their losses.
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Post by artisans on Sept 25, 2019 21:48:57 GMT 2
Someone will fill the void, Dave, but it will be all a matter of timing. I do know that some people have meetings in Corfu Town tomorrow and news may emerge soon. I can't see that any single company can simply fill the breach and some apartment owners will certainly become independent as they did after Golden Sun collapsed. As you say, flights may then be the big issue and prices could rise.
Steve
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Post by daveh on Sept 27, 2019 8:59:14 GMT 2
Well Melindas have very quickly got themselves sorted for 2020 buy joining forces with Jet2 for the future. They had been with Thomas Cook for many years and have issued a FB advising their loyal customers of this change going forwards. Whilst Jet2 don't fly from as many airports I'm sure there is the option to book flights with other airlines, e.g. BA, Easyjet etc if you live too far from a Jet2 airport.
Lets hope , as I'm sure it will, this works out well for Melindas and that other places who were linked to Thomas Cook can also get themselves set up for 2020 in the near future.
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Post by daveh on Sept 30, 2019 13:14:01 GMT 2
It seems all TC apartments are closing this week; by 4th October at latest depending on ay guests left. Theodoras is already closing and so is La Luz on the beach (same owners). They were busy taking up decking; removing sunloungers and brollies yesterday; washing them and stacking ready to store away. Everywhere else on the beach seems to be staying open and there was a good number on the beach but it is estimated a shortfall of about 500 tourists a week for next few weeks due to the collapse.
Roda Beach which isn't 100% TC has a meeting scheduled this week with the top bosses to see how many staff they still need and which ones are to be laid off early. I hear rumours that they reckon to be taking a 2 million € hit...…..how true I do not know as surely they are also protected by ATOL and other European agencies for such events. of course you don't get the money immediately which is the problem as other monies were also on delayed payment so in the here and know it is difficult for sure. I understand that some of the European bits of TC (in Sweden, Germany and maybe Belguim) the likelihood is that the parts will rise again as independent TOs as they were not in trouble other than their link to TC.
Certainly it is tough on all of Roda with a lot of footfall lost and most businesses will feel a drop in income for the rest of the season. Hopefully they will stay open but we just wait to see.
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kaz
Roda Anorak
Posts: 3,961
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Post by kaz on Sept 30, 2019 17:17:59 GMT 2
All I can say is "OH DEAR"
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Post by daveh on Oct 1, 2019 8:00:37 GMT 2
Of course Kaz these problems affect not just Roda but Corfu and Greece as well as many other countries. It does seem from reports in press and social media that Greek businesses have acted with far more empathy and respect for their customers than elsewhere; e.g. in some places in Spain people were locked out of rooms, passports withheld until they paid cash up front for the rest of their holiday; in some cases not allowed to go to the airport. This is all against EU laws but they were desperate for the money probably thinking they wouldn't get any later through the protections in place. Theses actions, unlike the kindness and hospitality shown in Greece, will hardly result in returning customers in the future.
Over here FB posts suggest many have already rebooked with the apartments directly for next year and will arrange their own flights. SO hopefully Roda will bounce back from this setback almost immediately.
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Post by daveh on Oct 2, 2019 16:44:38 GMT 2
I hear that Theodoras have joined up with TUI for 2020
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Post by daveh on Oct 10, 2019 19:36:56 GMT 2
C. Corfu
- The total number of claims from hotels along with the estimated loss of revenue following the Thomas Cook bankruptcy come to 21.5m Euros for 2019. If other types of accommodation are added along with flight arrivals from other Thomas Cook agents, then the total comes to 35m.
- The total losses for the hotel industry for 2020 come to 60m Euros. If other types of accommodation are added along with flight arrivals from other Thomas Cook agents, then the total comes to 108m.
- Tourism affects the whole economy by a factor of 2.5 - by this calculation the estimated loss to the whole economy will be almost 88m Euros in 2019 and 270m Euros in 2020.
This is from todays press...……..the Hoteliers Assoc want action. They want the hotels taxes reduced. Various suggestions such as not pay the accommodation taxes they collected but not getting paid for those customers.....nor pay for booked who didn't come. 15% to 50% reduction in water bills depending on circumstances; payment towards website and other communications as a result of the collapse plus other tax concessions.
The full report is lengthy so not copied in full...……..in the Ionions about 25% of accommodations had link with Thomas Cook; In Greece as a whole about 1 in 8 accommodations.
This will drag on as its difficult to work out exact losses and then deduct the compensation they will eventually get as I'm sure the Government don't want to be over generous in their current financial situation. Also this report talks about losses for the whole of 2020...……...that clearly assumes all places will be shut next year when a fair percentage have already joined forces with other TOs for next year. Yes there will be a drop off next year but then that may have happened in any event what with Brexit; increase prices (already being reported by Jet" customers) etc so how do you calculate the percentage due to Thomas Cook collapse. I'm sure we will hear much more in the coming months.
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