Monthly Archives: January 2021

Travel news

Vaccine confidence boost for older travellers

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Surge in bookings for over-65s

By Rob Gill, TTG Media

The new vaccines for Covid-19 has sparked a surge in confidence with the over-65s leading a huge surge in holiday bookings.

Coach operator National Express has seen a 185 per cent rise in over-65s booking holidays compared with this time in 2020 after launching its spring and summer programme last weekend.

Jit Desai, from National Express, told BBC Breakfast: “Many of them have had their first jab and now within 12 weeks will receive their second jab. That gives them a level of certainty that they can enjoy and look forward to their 2021 holiday.”

Desai added that National Express had taken “a week’s worth” of bookings in a single day on Monday, compared with the same period last year.

Tui’s UK managing director Andrew Flintham said the over-50s accounted for more than half of bookings received on the tour operator’s website in the past two weeks.

He added that they were getting more multi-generational family bookings as well as from “broader groups”.

TTG editor Sophie Griffiths also told BBC Breakfast: “This is utterly fantastic news and will be hugely welcomed by an industry that’s been devastated by the pandemic.

“Ten months into this crisis, the travel industry still has received zero dedicated financial support from the government.

“This is the first sign of the light at the end of the tunnel for the sector. Who isn’t going to want a holiday after the annus horribilis that was 2020?”

Escorted touring specialist Titan Travel said bookings for 2022 were “beginning to take off”, with one tour to Costa Rica already sold out 13 months before departure.

Managing director Andy Squirrell added: “Having conducted consumer surveys over summer last year, we recognised that travellers are looking ahead to future trips earlier than ever before.

“The vaccine rollout is undoubtedly bringing greater confidence to travellers who are itching to book a holiday and travel once again. Whether consumers are wanting to travel in 2021 or book in advance for 2022, we’re declaring 2021 the Year of the Holiday; the much-anticipated reawakening of travel.” 

For more information, visit https://www.ttgmedia.com/

Motoring

Renault steps on the gas

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Manufacturer joins hydrogen fuel cell project

Renault has taken a big step into the hydrogen fuel market in partnership with a leader in hydrogen fuel cell systems.Groupe Renault and Plug Power are set to work together to produce a hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicle

An agreement signed between the two companies will see them launch the joint venture by the middle of 2021.  The partnership is aiming for 30 per cent share of the fuel cell-powered light commercial vehicle (LCV) market in Europe

Based in France, the partnership will deliver state-of-the-art innovation and manufacturing capabilities for hydrogen fuel cell systems and their integration in vehicles

The partnership provides a unique proposition offering complete fuel cell vehicle solutions with hydrogen fuel, refueling infrastructures and services to customers

This strategic project supports the uptake of more sustainable mobility in Europe with the adoption of clean energy solutions, positioning the Groupe as a key player in hydrogen fuel cell innovation

Groupe Renault and Plug Power Inc. – a global leader in fuel cell systems and hydrogen-related services – have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to launch a joint venture with the aim of becoming the leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology for light commercial vehicles (LCVs).

Based in France, the partnership will launch in the middle of 2021, positioning the two companies at the forefront of research and development, transformation, manufacturing and sale of fuel cell-powered vehicles and hydrogen turn-key solutions. The joint venture will serve the growing market for fuel cell LCVs, taxis and commercial passenger vehicles. 

Bringing the strengths of both organisations together, the partnership will combine Groupe Renault’s pioneering experience in new and sustainable energies as well as its strong position in electric light commercial vehicles with Plug Power’s20 years of experience in fuel cell technologies and hydrogen solutions. 

A global leader in hydrogen ecosystem solutions, Plug Power has deployed more than 40,000 fuel cell systems, designed and built 110 refueling stations that dispense more than 40 tonnes of hydrogen daily, and is a technology leader in green hydrogen solutions via electrolysis. 

The partnership intends to offer unique, comprehensive products and solutions to the LCV market. Groupe Renault and Plug Power will begin sales of fuel cell LCVs in Europe starting in 2021 with pilot fleet deployments.

Groupe Renault and Plug Power will provide thestandalone joint venture with the required resources to achieve its objectives.

The finalisation of this partnership is pending on the conditions normally applicable to this kind of operation, among which the presentation to employee representative bodies in accordance with applicable regulations and the potential clearance from the relevant competition authorities and should be completed by the end of the first half of 2021.