The travel industry may have been brought to its knees by travel restrictions and social distancing measures implemented across the globe in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that has not dampened its spirit.
Here are six ways travel companies are doing their bit by spreading a little compassion and kindness, from offering hotels to key workers to repatriating UK citizens stranded abroad.
Setting up floating hospitals
Saga has offered two of its cruise ships as floating hospitals to help deal with the coronavirus crisis.
The 37,000-ton Saga Sapphire and 58,000-ton Spirit of Discovery, docked at Tilbury in Essex, could provide space for more than 2,600 patients in separate cabins.
Opening hotels to NHS staff
Former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville is to open his hotels free of charge to health workers.
His two Manchester hotels, Hotel Football at Old Trafford and the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre, will provide 176 beds for NHS and medical staff.
The Zetter Hotel in Clerkenwell has also closed its doors to all customers, but will stay open for NHS workers in need of free overnight accommodation.
Our client, the Manorview Group, have also offered some of its rooms to the NHS to use where needed.
Hotels open for stranded travellers
Three hotels near Kings Cross Station are offering free stays for people stranded on the way to or from Paris via the Eurostar: The Megaro, The Gyle and The California. All are offering accommodation and hospitality without charge where required.
Turning vehicles into ambulances
Indie Campers, a company that hires out campervans, is offering its vehicles up as “makeshift ambulances” and food delivery trucks. It has 850 vans, many of which will be offered free of charge to aid front-line services across Europe.
Food delivery
Ian Crighton, general manager of the Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne, Dorset, said the hotel is offering a discounted takeaway menu for the over-70s and NHS workers. The local Sherborne Chamber of Trade and Commerce is also offering free distribution of products and food to the elderly.
Offering hand sanitiser to the vulnerable
The Cary Arms & Spa in Devon has contacted all of its regular locals and close neighbours who are in the higher risk age group to tell them they can give the hotel a call for support if they need it. It has also been in touch with Rowcroft, a local cancer hospice, offering an “endless supply of sanitiser” as the hotel has the ability to make it.