THE
industry is on the brink of widescale job losses, recruitment freezes and
cutbacks as MyTravel announces it could axe up to 700 jobs in the run-up to a
potential war.
Travel
Weekly has been flooded with your messages backing our campaign to force the
Government into a U-turn on Iraq and save the industry from disaster.
One
major operator even admitted staff were leaving call centres because poor sales
meant their wages were lower, and confessed recruitment freezes were possible.
The fears come in preparation for a drop of 50%-60% in bookings if war breaks
out, based on the 1991 Gulf War.
In
other areas, Summit Hotels and Resorts managing director Richard Lewis said:
“The economy’s shot to pieces. Every month this drags on, it’s damaging us.”
P&O Princess Cruises reports both UK and US
bookings are below expected levels.