Within the UK, while there is no lockdown, measures being taken to control and eradicate the spread of Coronavirus are beginning to have a profound effect on the livelihoods of both individuals and society as a whole. At Walk Across Scotland & Make Tracks, we are determined to continue operating as close to normality as possible, however, it is important that we take appropriate measures which are in the best interests of our clients, service providers and ourselves as a small business.
CLIENT BOOKINGS (April & May)
The margins at Walk Across Scotland & Make Tracks are very small, therefore, it is vital for us to consider all eventualities in order to safeguard our long-term sustainability. We have received a number of cancellations for clients who’s walking holiday was due to take place this coming April and May, which is completely understandable – after all, the safety and wellbeing of our clients and service providers is the ultimate priority. With particular focus on existing clients who have not yet cancelled or reschedule their walking holiday, we would ask they heed the following advice;
1. It is very important that you have the appropriate travel insurance in place. If you have paid for the walking holiday in full and subsequently require to cancel the trip less than 21 days before the start date, you may not be entitled to a refund. In this situation, you should check the terms of your insurance policy to ascertain if you are entitled to claim from your insurer (specific terms will obviously vary between policies).
2. If you do not have travel insurance in place, it may now not be possible to insure against Coronavirus, therefore, serious consideration should be given to your walking holiday, particularly if it is due to start in the coming weeks (i.e. up to the balance due date or 21 days before the start date, whichever is sooner).
3. If your walking holiday is due to start in April or May, please contact us asap so we can discuss your specific situation.
4. We are also offering to reschedule walking holidays to later this year or into 2021. We will not charge an administration fee. The only costs incurred will be to cover any increases in tariffs from our service providers (which is only likely to affect trips moves to 2021).
We wholeheartedly do not want to encourage clients to cancel their walking holiday – and we dearly hope everything is back to normal to at least allow unrestricted travel across the world, however, we also do not want to run the risk of either clients, service providers, our ourselves running into financial difficulty as a result of any misinformation. It is important for us to be fully transparent throughout this period.
TEMPORARY CHANGES TO THE BUSINESS
WAS & MT is a small-scale operation, which is run from a ‘home office’. To an extent, we are in a favourable position which allows us to operate without being affected by the current guidelines. However, there is a bigger picture which is impacting our standard business as usual practices. On a personal level, I have two children under the age of 11 and, with the announcement that schools will close for the foreseeable future, contingencies must be implemented to allow me to run WAS & MT with continued efficiency and professionalism, while also managing family life.
As a result, from Monday 23rd March, we will temporarily divert all calls to voicemail. There will be no specific office hours, where instead I will continue to monitor emails, voicemails and all other aspects of the business on a continuous basis throughout each day and into the evening. This will allow me to manage all business and personal responsibilities until everything returns to normal.
These are incredibly tough times; however, I am determined that WAS & MT will see this through and continue to organise walking holidays across Scotland for many years to come.
If you have any questions in relation to your up and coming walking holiday, please get in touch and we will help us much as possible.
Thanks & Best Wishes,
Ross.
