One in 5 travel professionals may turn to food banks this winter, TTG survey finds

Trudie Clements, director of Abta LifeLine, said these bleak results “reflect what the charity is seeing”. She has seen a “huge jump” in applications since September, and paid out £10,000 in crisis grants in one week alone last month.

“People are worried about how they are going to pay their rent or mortgage, energy and put food on the table,” she said.

“Some are living hand to mouth, making choices whether to put the heating on or to eat, and living off credit cards. For others, those savings made by not commuting so regularly into the office have now been swallowed up by extra living costs.”

"Prior to April 2022 my electricity was £119 a month. Now it’s £279. I kept thinking to myself, 'I’ve worked so hard, I’ve paid so much tax and national insurance. How have I ended up here?'”

Clements is keen to stress that there is help available however, and one person all too aware of this is Claire (not her real name).

She worked for 33 years as a travel agent, store manager and even at a number of tour operators. Earlier in the year Claire fell on hard times due to personal circumstances, and although she was no longer working in travel, having worked for Abta members during her 33 years she was eligible for support from Abta LifeLine

“You never know when your life is going to dissolve around you,” she told TTG.

“My daughter and I went three months without any hot water or heating. I was using food banks. By the end of August I couldn’t even afford to put fuel in my car.”

LifeLine's support 'like winning the lottery'

Although Claire’s situation was triggered by a personal situation, she said the “cost of living crisis had a huge impact”.

“I couldn’t afford heating oil. Prior to April 2022 my electricity was £119 a month. Now it’s £279. I kept thinking to myself, I’ve worked so hard, I’ve paid so much tax and national insurance. How have I ended up here?”

After initially “burying my head in the sand” Claire decided to seek help and happened upon Abta LifeLine. The charity agreed to pay her rent and council tax arrears. “It wouldn’t seem a huge amount of money to some people but to me it was like winning the lottery.

“They gave me a literal lifeline and that’s something I will never ever forget. I’d hit rock bottom and their help lifted me - not just with the financial help but also through counselling support.”

"How do we adjust not just personally but as an industry to continue to support, retain and attract new talent?”

Claire has urged others experiencing financial worries to reach out to charities. “Don’t think ‘there’s no one there to support me.’ There are people that care and will support you.”

The Advantage Travel Partnership is also exploring ways to support members. Kelly Cookes, chief commercial officer, said the consortium was “looking at ways to help members maximise their income”.

She noted Advantage “at this stage we are not getting feedback that they will be taking additional jobs” but acknowledged “instead most are looking at ways to reduce costs where they can and also to diversify their businesses to attract new clients”.

Cookes added Advantage was also working on a profit protection plan offering members “practical advice on how to manage their businesses through what will be another challenging period”.

Some in travel have questioned whether national headlines are blowing the cost of living crisis out of proportion. But for Clements, the growing number of LifeLine applications is evidence of the many people in travel at least, who need help. 

Clements is also worried by the long-term ramifications on the industry. “Everyone is making cutbacks and having to adjust to the new norm,” she said. “But there is uncertainty over how long this will last and whether we will ever go back to where we were before. If we don’t, how do we adjust not just personally but as an industry to continue to support, retain and attract new talent?”

For Claire, she will “never forget” the “literal lifeline” provided by the charity and is now working on how she can give back to others. On Christmas Day Claire will help out at a lunch for homeless people, “because that could be me… I just feel so lucky that it’s not.”

On 13 December TTG Media will partner with Abta LifeLine and Citizens Advice to offer a free virtual session focused on providing advice on bills, benefits and budgeting.

Abta LifeLine's Spirit of Christmas appeal

Abta LifeLine is urging the travel industry to help fundraise for festive meals for 30 underprivileged families through its annual Christmas appeal.

LifeLine’s Spirit of Christmas fundraising drive is seeking to support industry colleagues “most in need” and experiencing hardship amid the winter cost of living crisis.

Firms can contact lifeline@abtalifeline.org.uk to pledge their help.