The last newsletter I sent out was a cut-down version which then linked through to the Good Access Guide website for the full story and was, hopefully, a tad more chatty.
The comments I received were all favourable, so we'll stick with it for now.
As always, if you have got any comments or questions, just drop me a line to ian@goodaccessguide.co.uk or call me on 01502 566005.
I thought it would be a good idea to include the following from our resident disability travel expert, Richard Thompson. Richard works as a Travel Counsellor and to see the level of service that was given to his affected customers is unusual and refreshing in these times...
If you needed any more information as to why you’re booking’s safer with Travel Counsellors, then this is it.
As you will no doubt be aware, XL Leisure Group owner of XL Airways has ceased trading, leaving many thousands of passengers stranded overseas; and many others with their short term holiday plans in jeopardy.
Once the news broke at 2am on that Friday morning, due to the well rehearsed contingency plans already in place at head office I was able to access a list of all my affected customers. Allowing me to get on the phone to them straight away and both find alternative holidays or flights and assist with claims with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for their cancelled flights.
In many cases my colleagues and I at Travel Counsellors have made alternative bookings before the start of business today, providing a level of service that simply cannot be offered by the internet or high street travel agencies. In addition, in many instances we have also been able to help customers who booked over the internet and were left bewildered this morning by automatic emails giving a complicated list of instructions; rather than real advice and support.
Along with the great personal service I offer to each and every one of my customers, everyone who books with me also has complete peace of mind that their money is in safe hands due to the Travel Counsellors Trust. I am extremely proud to be part of a company that takes its customers’ financial peace of mind so seriously. The current economic climate means that unfortunately there is always the possibility of more travel failures, so it is reassuring that I can tell my customers that their money is 100% financially guaranteed and I will be there for them immediately should things go wrong.
The Travel Counsellors Trust is more comprehensive in scope than the ATOL protection offered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the scheme offered by ABTA. This is because we are one of the few travel companies in the industry to operate a financial trust, a unique financial guarantee that covers absolutely everything we book for our customers including hotels, low cost airlines, scheduled flights and car rental.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of any assistance should any friends or family have been affected by this morning’s announcement. I will be happy to help as much as I can.
Richard Thompson
www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/richard.thompson
Telephone: 0845 058 8059
We are very happy to welcome Wendy Takman to our team.
She joins us from the well known holiday firm of Hoseasons, whose Head Office is literally just a stones throw from GAG, here in Lowestoft.
She won't like me for saying this but Wendy has over 25 years experience in the holiday and leisure industry - she assures me that she started very young!
Wendy's primary role will be to head up our training department, rolling out Disability Awareness Training including our expanding programme aimed at airports and airlines.
I think we're putting together our own Amateur Dramatics group here, what with Jo and her acting and now Wendy. She regular appears on stage and is also an accomplished choreographer. Let's hope she doesn't get me doing any tap dancing... I could fall in the sink! (Sorry for the corny joke...)
If you call us it may be Wendy that you speak to. We're all interchangeable here and some of us can even multitask (well Jo and Wendy can).
So, if you have any training needs, please give us a call on 01502 566005.
I'm sure we all whinge from time to time about daft legislation that gets passed by the European Union. After all, these are the people who wanted us to get rid of pounds and ounces and replace them with kilos as well as ditch pints in favour of litres. A cornish pasty is only a cornish pasty if it was actually made in Cornwall and sausages must all be a certain length (I made that one up...).
But, on odd occasions, the good folks in Brussels do come up with a regulation that hits the spot.
This time it is the snappily titled "EC1107/2006, Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons". It is an interesting read although cocktail sticks were needed at around page 34!
But why should you be interested in this regulation. Well, if you have a disability or are a Person with Reduced Mobility (PRM) - and that includes the elderly or someone who has simply broken their leg, then read on...
For once the UK is ahead of Europe. We are the only country that has a formal disability law, namely the Disability Discrimination Act. So EC1107/2006 was brought about to ensure that any disabled air passengers or PRM flying to, from or transitting through a EU country would be have some form of protection.
Airports must make provision to ensure that your journey through the airport is as smooth as possible. They must offer assistance and that assistance must be provided free of charge. And the airlines must play their part too.
To back the regulation up we have the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)- they are there to fight you corner if you have received poor treatment or an inferior service and this can be linked to your disability (or reduced mobility). Then there is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) who can levy fines on the miscreant airport or airline.
Some airlines and airports are doing their bit and are embracing the spirit of the Regulation. Others, well, you'll know those that stick two fingers up to disability and their disabled customers. Perhaps the EHRC and the CAA will be knocking on their door soon...
If you would like to read more about EC1107/2006 (and why wouldn't you?), then follow this link to read the Access to air travel for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility - Code of Practice 2008
We would like to say a big hello to some of our newest advertisers on the Good Access Guide:
And also a big thank you to all those businesses, large and small, that have recognised the benefits of advertising on the Good Access Guide by renewing with us once again...
Don't forget… If you run a business and you've adapted your premises or the way you provide a service to help disabled people, get yourself noticed on the Good Access Guide.
We have free listings and full business web pages.
Beat the Credit Crunch with our price busting offer...
Like me, you are probably wondering how much more bad news there can possibly be about the economy. Where will it all end? When will we see light at the end of the tunnel?
Well, we'd like to think that we can do our bit. While we can't make petrol cheaper and the price of bread is well out of our control, we can offer discounts on our advertising packages.
A full business web page on Good Access Guide includes 6 images, plenty of text to describe your business, a link to your website, all your other contact details and a 'spam-free' e-mail contact form. On top of this your web page also appears on your regional Good Access Guide website (e.g Good Access Yorkshire) and on a themed Good Access Guide website (cottages would appear on Good Access Cottages).
This normally costs just £99+VAT for a full year on the Good Access Guide websites.
If you upgrade to a full business web page before 17th October 2008 it will only cost you £65+VAT - a massive saving off over 33%.
And, what's more, if you renew your web page in 12 months time, we will still only charge you £65+VAT.
So by then, with any luck, the economy will be on the mend but you won't have missed out on the opportunity of showcasing your business to thousands of potential customers.
To upgrade and take advantage of this generous (we must be mad!) offer simply e-mail Jo Forster at jo@goodaccessguide.co.uk or call her on 01502 566005.
That’s it for this issue of our newsletter. I look forward to bringing your more from the UK’s leading online guide to life, leisure and mobility in the next Good Access Guide Newsletter.
Ian Carter
Still want to read more? Nod off to my ramblings about being a retained firefighter in deepest Suffolk!
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