Let’s be realistic – the pandemic was far from a pleasant experience. But while a lot of bad came out of this troubling period, it would be wrong to suggest we didn’t also stumble across some positives too. Arguably chief amongst those was a reassessment of the way in which we work.
 
Remote workplaces became the norm during national lockdowns. And although some offices have reverted back to a more traditional approach, there’s still a strong appetite from young professionals in particular to make the world their office.
 
It’s perhaps little surprise then that as many as 42% of employees want to use their current company’s remote policies to allow them to work abroad. If you’re fortunate enough to have this option as a realistic avenue, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing things right. Here are three important tips to remember before you throw a dart at a board and jet off to the first place it lands.

1.   Assess the average cost of living
First and foremost, you’re going to want to guarantee that you can live within your means. While we’d all like to up sticks and move to New York City or London, it might not be feasible on the budget we’ve set ourselves. By the same token, you won’t want to pick a country that’s particularly cheap to live in, as you may be sacrificing amenities which you’ve come to take for granted.
 
The best way to work out somewhere you can realistically afford to live is to consult a cost of living index. These handy tools will let you break down each core factor when it comes to your expenses – looking at groceries, rent, and even purchasing power on a country-by-country basis.

2.    Engage in local communities
Heading abroad is fairly pointless if you end up shutting yourself away in seclusion. Make sure you take the time to get out and really embrace the exciting new world around you. This is particularly important if you’ve headed somewhere which has a culture that’s significantly different to your own.
 
One of the best approaches here is to sign up to a local club that peaks your interest. This could be for board games, sports, reading, or anything else you consider a hobby or passion. You’re bound to meet a bunch of like-minded individuals.

3.   Consider foreign salary expectations
​It could be that rather than working remotely, you want to find active employment in your new home. This can be a really exciting and rewarding experience. Just be sure to do some research first about what countries and job sectors pay the right amount for you to live healthily on.
 
If being a high-earner is something you’re passionate about, then Switzerland (who have eight of the highest paying job roles in the world) could be a good bet. Failing that, roles in Denmark, the USA, Iceland, and Norway also all find themselves on the list of top-paying jobs.
 
Working abroad will open your mind to new possibilities and ways of thinking. But it’s vital you’re prepared for the shift. Make sure to use this guide as a starting point, as you take the first steps on this exciting journey.
 
Get in touch if you want to take a trip to a new destination and want to scope it out or have already decided and want to move there, we can help you book all your travel arrangements.
The Travel Company Edinburgh 0131 467 7000
edinburgh@ttce.com
www.ttce.com
 

There are endless benefits to taking your children travelling, from improving their social skills, to enhancing their education and exposing them to unique landscapes, civilisations and historical places to deepen their world-knowledge. Taking your children to new places has even been shown to improve their academic performance, likely due to the immersive learning opportunities experienced first-hand when visiting different countries and cultures.
 
Whether you’re planning a family holiday or looking to explore multiple countries with your family, here’s a short guide to how travelling aids children’s social, physical and emotional development.

Hands on learning experiences As Saint Augustine put it, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”. Whilst schools are limited to providing mainly visual and audible learning experiences, if you can take your children travelling you’ll be providing hands-on, fully immersive, real-life learning opportunities. Children are instinctively curious, and they reap great benefits from exploring new places.
 
Seeing historical monuments with their own eyes is sure to last far longer in their memory than reading about them from textbooks, and by exploring the surrounding cities, towns and landscapes, they will also benefit from a deeper understanding of their context and importance from a cultural perspective.
 
Everyone can benefit from the unique experiences other countries can provide, from growing a more diverse palette by tasting new and different foods, to learning new skills such as snorkelling, hiking, cycling, snowboarding, skiing or even horse-riding. Resilience is also built in abundance by travelling, as you’ll naturally have to navigate and overcome obstacles and new environments.

Social skills, understanding and perspective
Many children never hear any languages other than those of their parents and hometowns, but by travelling as a family your children may pick up phrases in other dialects. This is a great headstart for their education, as learning new languages boosts problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as improving memory and mental flexibility.
 
Exposing children to a variety of other people from a range of backgrounds helps to dispel stereotypes and prejudices that they will inevitably be exposed to throughout their lives. By modelling compassion and kindness wherever you take them, they will naturally develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. Experiencing the world in this way can help them to become more well-rounded members of society as they grow up.
 
You could even get involved with community projects to help local people and areas, by helping to build schools or supporting rural farmers. Children will learn that people are all the same, regardless of their situations, and grow up to be people keen to make the world a better place. If you do decide to take your children to developing countries, be sure to do some thorough research to ensure you travel safely.
​
Family bonds
​Wherever you take your children, spending special time with them discovering the world is sure to strengthen your relationship and deepen the bonds within your family. With so much of our lives spent apart, at work and school, every chance to spend quality time together is an opportunity for growth and positive emotional development.

This is fabulous news from Loganair!
This story has just been published on traveldailymedia.com
As a partner with Loganair we wanted to share this story as it is a fabulous airline for business travel and this makes it even more enticing!

"Business travellers across the UK are set to benefit from a new, discounted, and fully flexible air fare from Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline.
The airline has identified the routes that are most popular with its business travellers each year and has created a new flexible and cost-effective fare to support businesses with connectivity across the UK.
The new Business Connect fare allows customers to book a minimum of five flights in advance and receive a 15% discount, with full flexibility to change flight dates at any time. It means that passengers who often travel on selected routes could qualify and benefit from free airport fast track security, an upgraded 23kg luggage allowance and Clan Points to redeem against future travel as part of Loganair’s loyalty programme.
The airline has gone a step further for businesses and has additionally launched a Business Connect + fare, allowing organisations to book a minimum of ten flights with the same benefits but also allowing for full name flexibility meaning anyone within the company can travel.
Identified as Loganair’s busiest business routes, and eligible for the new fare, are services between:

• Edinburgh – Southampton
• Glasgow – Southampton
• Aberdeen – Teesside
• Aberdeen – Manchester
• Aberdeen – Birmingham

Loganair carries a significant number of business travellers each year and has some of the most flexible and cost-effect fares available. The airline believes that the new product will be particularly popular among the small and medium sized businesses looking to save on transport costs this winter.
Donna McHugh, Loganair’s head of revenue and sales, said: “Business Connect really allows us to better target our smaller and medium sized enterprises and offers them flexibility and discounted rates on select routes. “We recognise that our business partners are looking for more flexibility in the way they book and often want to book several flights at the same time too – this product allows them to do just that.”
Business travellers across the UK are set to benefit from a new, discounted, and fully flexible air fare from Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline."

To book your flights just get in touch with us on:
edinburgh@ttce.com
0131 467 7000

we look forward to helping you save money!

Travel Executives Gather at St. Andrews Links to Play on the World Famous Old Course

The inaugural invite-only ASTA Travel Masters supports the trade association’s advocacy

St. Andrews, Scotland, April 14, 2022 – The most famous golf course in the world was the backdrop for the American Society of Travel Advisors’ (ASTA) first-ever Travel Masters, held April 4-6, 2022, at St. Andrews, Scotland, the home of golf and the 2022 British Open in July. This invitation-only leadership event brought together agency owners and supplier executives at the renowned Fairmont St. Andrews, where close to fifty participants gathered for a once-in-a-lifetime experience to golf on the Castle Course (April 4) and Old Course (April 5).
 
“We are a mission-driven organization comprised of over 17,000 U.S. based travel advisors who rely on us to represent them at all levels of government, within the industry and to the traveling public,” said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA. “The Travel Masters brought together executive leaders, from both the supplier and agency community, who believe in this mission and who believe in ASTA’s advocacy. The generous support of our partner sponsors; BCD and United Airlines, American Airlines, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Signature Travel Network, and Viking, literally made this event possible. Their presence builds ASTA and strengthens our ability to fulfill our mission.”
 
Ken McNab, Managing Director at the Travel Company Edinburgh and ASTA’s UK chapter president, spotted and made ASTA aware of the opening at St. Andrews back in 2020, working with ASTA’s late Bob Duglin. Ken, along with his compatriot, Angelina Fairgrieve at The Travel Company Edinburgh, worked tirelessly to bring the Travel Masters program to life.
 
“ASTA’s commitment to support this event brought Scotland an open door to improve our international traffic through the stream of our U.S. trade partners,” said McNab. “The team at The Travel Company Edinburgh and In2Scotland believe that the refreshed relationships developed through our partnership will help us face the new world of travel together. With the success of this event, we can focus on strengthening trade and ties with the U.S. and our partners through ASTA.”
 
Supporting ASTA’s advocacy mission through executive leadership was the primary focus of this inaugural event in St. Andrews. Jennifer Wilson Buttigieg, Co-President of Valerie Wilson Travel, a Froch Company, is the co-chair of ASTA’s Government & Political Affairs Committee and the driving force behind gathering industry advocacy support as Honorary Chair of the Travel Masters event.
 
“I am a long-standing partner and advocate for ASTA,” said Wilson Buttigieg. “I was honored to be a part of this inaugural ASTA Travel Masters event. With two major industry shifts occurring: (1) a rebound in travel as we migrate from pandemic to endemic globally and (2) the heighten role of the travel advisor - it is critical that we continue to speak in one unified voice. This event was a fantastic forum to discuss, share and raise money. We still have a long way to go, and this is one of many initiatives. Please get involved!”
 
About ASTA
Rebranded in 2018 as the American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA is the leading global advocate for travel advisors, the travel industry and the traveling public. Its members represent 80 percent of all travel sold in the United States through the travel agency distribution channel. Together with hundreds of internationally-based members, ASTA’s history of industry advocacy traces back to its founding in 1931 when it launched with the mission to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. For more information about the Society, visit ASTA.org. 
Content C/o ASTA Erika Richter erichter@asta.org ​

Staycation Insurance is very important as there are various situations that may mean you need to cancel or postpone your holiday in the UK.

Holiday Insurance has always been thought of as something that you take out when you travel abroad, however we all know how much the travel landscape has changed over the last few years and having staycation insurance is more important than ever.

It is recommended to take out staycation insurance as soon as you have placed your booking so that you are covered for those 'just in case' situations and you need to postpone or cancel your holiday.

​For your online quote please click here

Assuming you are not already using a Travel Management Company such as The Travel Company Edinburgh so I’m going to let you in on the some of the secrets to save some money and make your trip easier, safer and ensure you get best value for this business expense.
 
Firstly do your research. A little work early on can save a lot of time later. Think about the trip and what it entails. For example, certain countries require visas and/or immunisations. Make sure you get advice on the steps needed to be taken and be wary of timescales. Think about the itinerary. It’s easy to make the experience more efficient if you can save the traveller’s time.
Create traveller profiles. This is something we do automatically for our clients but you can also do this. It saves so much time when making bookings so you don’t have to constantly email or call the traveller to find out about essential personal preferences, loyalty scheme numbers, seating or room preferences.
Before you actually book, make sure you are clear on what is required. The cheapest train tickets and hotel rooms are usually those which have the least flexibility. They may save money initially but if plans change and you are unable to transfer, this will have to be written off.
If cost is the main consideration, consider the following:
Consider avoiding flexible tickets to save money (e.g. it's often cheaper to book three advance rail tickets, giving you flexibility, than it is to buy a fully-flex rail ticket). Sometimes the best solution is to book a fixed outbound ticket and a flexible ticket on the return.
Consider the full cost of a trip, not just the component parts, e.g. it's worth paying £100 per night for a hotel that is on site, rather than £80 per night for one a few miles out but incurs a £15 taxi each way
Consider starting internal meetings later to allow non-peak train travel for all attendees – this can save 60% per attendee
Pay attention to what you are being charged, it’s easy to go through a whole booking process and not notice all the extras.
 
Once the travel bookings are completed, it’s time to ensure the traveller is up to speed with what they need to provide and do. Important considerations include:
Travel Documentation: Make sure you prepare and organise any necessary documentation that your boss may need. These can include train and plane tickets/reference numbers, accommodation loyalty cards, passport, visas and immunisation certificates.
Travel Insurance: Make sure they have sufficient travel insurance, there are countless options these days and by shopping around you may be able to select a better package.
 
If this all sounds a little complicated as well as time consuming why not let us do all the work for you and here are some added advantages of using us:
 
Dedicated travel consultant or consultants along with a dedicated account manager.
Payment terms we offer one consolidated invoice per month
24 hour support – Airlines don't all operate 24 hours a day, if your boss is on the other side of the world and needs to call at 3am in the morning to change their return flight this becomes an issue
Impartial, expert advice. We have no preference for any supplier only years of experience dealing with a wide range of clients.
Having all bookings in one place makes it easier to manage your business travel, track business travellers and analyse data.
 
Find out how we can transform your business travel.
Contact us at edinburgh@ttce.com 

NDUSTRY NEWS
Changes to international travel rules
From 4am Monday 4 October 2021, the rules for international travel to
England will change from the red, amber, green traffic light system to a
single red list of countries and simplified travel measures for arrivals
from the rest of the world. The rules for travel from countries and
territories not on the red list will depend on your vaccination status. For
more information on travel from rest of world for vaccinated and non￾vaccinated travellers, click here
US to relax travel restrictions for vaccinated foreign air travellers
in November
The United States will reopen in November to air travellers from 33
countries including China, India, Brazil and most of Europe who are fully
vaccinated against COVID-19.
The United States will admit fully vaccinated air travellers from the 26
so-called Schengen countries in Europe including France, Germany, Italy,
Spain, Switzerland and Greece, as well as Britain, Ireland, China, India,
South Africa, Iran and Brazil. The unprecedented US restrictions have
barred non-US citizens who were in those countries within the past 14
days.
Further information is expected about the exact date that the US will
open their borders as well as details of vaccination status’ allowed.
Changes to passport rules for entry to the UK from 1 Oct 2021
From 1 October 2021 EU, EEA or Swiss national ID cards will no longer be
valid for travel to the UK unless travellers live in the UK and have settled
or pre-settled status. Passports will be mandatory for all other
passengers including children. Passengers with settled or pre-settled
status can continue to use national ID cards until 31 December 2025. For
more information, click here
TSA increases fines for violations of face mask rules
The Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security
Administration has increased the penalties which can be imposed on
travellers if they fail to wear face masks when required. The TSA has
increased the range of civil penalties that may be imposed on individuals
who violate the federal mask mandate at airports, on commercial
aircraft, and in various modes of surface transportation, including
passenger railroads, intercity bus services, and other public
transportation”.
The rules – which are currently set to remain in effect until January 18,
2022 – mean travellers can be fined between $500 and $1,000 for a first
offence, and between $1,000 and $3,000 for a second offence. The new
penalties are double the previous levels

By consolidating your travel spend with your preferred Travel Management Company, The Travel Company Edinburgh, we are able to work closely with your procurement/purchasing department to ensure that best value is provided for all your travel requirements. By travel policy adherence, proactive account management and the extensive knowledge and expertise of our travel consultants we can drive down your company spend and make recommendations for best practice – improving the way you book travel.

Here are some of the key benefits that we provide:

• Management Information is provided and discussed on a quarterly or monthly basis to ensure travel policy adherence and to also identify areas of savings by improving booking processes etc.
  • For example; We are able negotiate deals with any high spend suppliers or for high volume transactions – e.g. frequently used airlines / flight destinations, preferred hotel properties/ room night volumes,regular rail journeys etc.
  • We can also identify saving opportunities - such as by booking further in advance of travel this can significantly reduce the costs of your travel spend – even on a lower value rail ticket. We can identify such opportunities from the data we provide.

• We are able to track all flight bookings against ‘company’ airline membership schemes which ultimately provide the company with enhanced financial benefits.
• Our GDS reservation systems allows us to provide quotations for scheduled airlines and low cost carriers for your requested flight itinerary to find the most cost effective option – which is not always the low cost carrier!

• Our systems capture all mandatory purchasing requirements which ensures that bookings are only accepted when the agreed approval process criteria has been met.
• All bookings made are billed back to your company account.Hotel reservations is often an area where payment is an issue ; we pay for your hotel booking using company credit card facilities or via third party suppliers and then bill the company account – eliminating the need for the guest to pay on arrival or departure and submitting expense claims etc.

• We offer a 24/7 emergency service which covers all bookings made through TTCE whether online or offline. We can make emergency changes or alternative travel arrangements quickly and easily outside of normal office hours for all your bookings through one dedicated number which is provided on all quotations and confirmations.

• Where bookings are made via TTCE we can also provide a traveller tracking facility which enables us to report back to your organisation any travellers that maybe located in area affected by a major incident. This facility is also used for incidents such as strikes that may affect travel plans; we will contact the booker or traveller and advise of alternative options if required.

• There is a misconception that our service fee makes the booking of low cost carriers cheaper to book directly on the airlines website. Ensuring our fees are competitive, the added of value of 24/7 emergency assistance, traveller tracking, no requirement for an expenses claim and management information we feel provides value for money as well as confidence and peace of mind should changes be required.

Get in touch to have a chat about it.
​0131 467 7000 or email edinburgh@ttce.com