Important message from Mark Hallett
Let’s start with the obligatory buzz word of the month. What an absolutely “unprecedented” time we find ourselves in. This time last year, I could never have imagined that I would find myself writing to you all from my dining room. Nor could I have ever imagined that I would be holding meetings with my management team (who are now also all working from home) via web cam and that the world would be in total crisis.
Each and every human being has been affected in some way by the Covid-19 virus, which is destroying lives, families, jobs and industries. Our industry, the travel industry has been one of the worst hit. Travel has all but totally ceased at this time and whereas our partners in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal would usually be gearing themselves up to welcome our guests for the start of the high season, the majority are instead in lock down, and as unsure as the rest of us as to when normality will resume.
Despite these depressing and very scary times, Grape Escapes is fortunate to enjoy a strong position within our industry. We have been arranging wine tours for over 15 years and we will continue to do what we do best for the next 15 years and beyond.
For those of you working hard to keep us safe and well, and also those in your homes, dreaming of better times to come, please share your dreams with us! We are very much open, and still planning itineraries for Autumn 2020 onwards. There’s no better time to have a chat with us, and to get the ball rolling for your trip of a lifetime. We’re all going to deserve it at the end of this! For most new bookings, we are able to process a reduced £100 per person deposit, which will be fully refundable up to 30 days before travel if you no longer wish to travel for any reason. In addition, we are moving balance due dates from 60 days to 30 days before travel. In the event that your trip cannot go ahead closer to your departure date due to Covid-19, we may also be able to postpone your trip for you completely free of charge. All bookings will of course benefit from 100% financial protection, which is offered to all of our customers through our ABTA/ATOL bonding.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing clients who were due to travel imminently and who have been so patient whilst we have been processing their postponements. We only have a small team “on the front line” at the moment, working around the clock to make sure every enquiry is responded to as quickly as possible, and your kind words have touched our hearts. We, and all our partners, are very grateful to those who are showing their support by postponing as opposed to cancelling their trips.
On a more practical note, if you would like to contact us, e-mail is currently the most efficient method of communication, as our primary contact number +44 (0) 1920 46 86 66 is being diverted and we can only take one call at a time. Please e-mail info@grapeescapes.net, and we will make sure you are put in touch with the right person.
Finally, I wanted to write a few words of encouragement, but no one could put it better than Superman himself, Christopher Reeve. “So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” We’re ready to make your dream holidays happen when you are!
Stay safe, and we are so grateful for your continued support and loyalty.
Mark Hallett
Managing Director
