As the Roadmap to Recovery progresses and businesses return to a semblance of normality, Grenham Travel, which has been serving the local community since 1911, has been to the customer service fore assisting their clientele with travel requirements during the presence of essential restrictions.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, Marie Grenham, Managing Director, Grenham Travel, noted the consistent level of queries from loyal cilentele pertaining to travel matters following the imposition of restrictive measures.
“The staff have been working diligently behind closed doors since the imposition of restrictive measures ensuring those who were abroad when lockdown was announced would be repatriated safely. Queries were numerous in this regard and thankfully, we were able to assist clients who were abroad in Florida, Cuba, Vietnam and other foreign locations with a safe return to home prior to the enforcement of restrictions,” Marie remarked.
With summer travel plans for many now scuppered, the calls have been a constant to the business located on Connaught Street. The hours have been long but rewarding as clients appreciate the efforts afforded by Marie and her dedicated team of travel agents.
“We have rescheduled an innumerable amount of holidays to 2021 and thankfully, clients have not been financially impacted with regard to their holiday change of dates. The various travel companies with whom we liaise have been most co-operative offering similar rates to those originally booked by our clients and assures clients that when they book their holiday through a licensed travel agent under ITAA guidelines, their money is secure,” Marie asserted.
The process of refunding clients who have decided to cancel their package holiday abroad in the current COVID-19 climate is consistently ongoing with Marie noting that clients who opt not to avail of a rescheduled travel date being recompensed.
“We are open at present but by appointment only as per relevant regulations. We are permitted to have three persons on the premises at any one time, but I woant to assure our clients that the staff and I are committed to meeting all travel requirement needs during such unprecedented times,” Marie added.
With special offers beginning to emanate from a number of travel companies there has been “a trickle” of bookings made by clients as they look forward to pastures positive in 2021.
“Clients have booked early 2021 package holidays to New York, Las Vegas and Nashville to date, but it really is a ‘wait and see’ with regard to the presence of the virus and if we are impacted by a second wave.
“Bookings made for 2021 are a sign of optimism and are a boost for the uncertain travel trade during such uncertain times,” Marie concluded.
