Travel Kuoni
Tour Our Groups and Contingency Planning
In the events industry we are all used to last minute changes of plans, curve balls from left field, being agile enough to develop on the spot contingency plans and responding to situations in real time.
Our Role
When Storm Ali struck in 2018, one of our clients faced an immediate and significant transport crisis. The ferocity of the storm caused their cruise ship to detach from its moorings, completely dismantling the carefully planned transport arrangements for a tour group of over 400 people. With passengers stranded and no existing plan viable, the situation demanded urgent, expert intervention. As a trusted and experienced transport partner, Travel Connect was the natural first call. Our role was to step in swiftly, take ownership of the problem, and design a reliable, workable alternative transport solution - all while the storm continued to cause widespread disruption across Scotland's transport network.
“After a last-minute change of plan, we asked Travel Connect, to help us out with transportation for some of our cruise tours. The team are quick to react to any brief and provide expert advice and a brilliant service. They are so professional and knowledgeable – continuing to make the experience seamless for our team and for our customers.”
Our Approach
From the moment the call came in, our team moved with purpose and urgency.
We immediately dusted off our secondary and tertiary contingency plans, drawing on years of experience managing high-pressure, unpredictable situations in the events and travel industry. We quickly assessed the scale of the challenge - with Scotland's rail network severely impacted by the storm, demand for rail replacement transport had surged, meaning available vehicles were limited and costs were elevated. Rather than being deterred, we used this intelligence to shape a smarter response, focusing our efforts on what was actually achievable.
Throughout the day, as the situation continued to evolve and new obstacles emerged, our team remained agile - revisiting and revising the plan on multiple occasions to ensure it remained fit for purpose. Nothing was treated as fixed; everything was adapted in response to real-time developments on the ground.
Our Strengths
What set Travel Connect apart in this situation was the unique combination of industry reach, infrastructure, and expertise that we were able to bring to bear at speed.
As one of the UK's leading transport providers, we have cultivated an extensive network of vehicles, suppliers, and operational contacts that can be mobilised quickly, even in the most challenging of circumstances. This network gave us access to resources that others simply could not secure at short notice, allowing us to move faster and more cost-effectively than would otherwise have been possible.
Equally important was the role played by our regional control rooms, which provided a live operational hub throughout the day - monitoring developments, communicating with suppliers, and ensuring that every decision was informed by the most current information available. Underpinning all of this was our planning team: highly experienced professionals who remain calm and focused under pressure, and who worked tirelessly to hold the operation together from start to finish.
The Outcome
Despite the enormous logistical challenges posed by Storm Ali, Travel Connect successfully delivered a comprehensive alternative transport solution for all affected tour groups.
Disruption was kept to a minimum, and our client was able to manage their passengers with confidence, knowing that a capable and dependable team was working on their behalf behind the scenes.
The fact that plans were revised and adapted multiple times throughout the day - without any loss of service quality or communication - is a testament to the resilience and professionalism of everyone involved. It also serves as a powerful demonstration of what sets Travel Connect apart: when the unexpected happens, we don't just respond - we take control, find solutions, and deliver.
For our client, the crisis was averted. For our team, it was a reminder of exactly what we do best.