Film and television kept us occupied during the lockdown months, transporting us from our sofas to Covid-free worlds and allowing us to live vicariously through fictional characters as they sauntered from one location to the next. This manner of escapism was aided by streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus, which provide continuous content.
While we were glued to small screens, the pandemic was thankfully not a showstopper. Film and TV professionals continued to create content, exempt from the UK government's travel restrictions for most of the pandemic. Strict Covid protocols were in place on site, with masked cast and crew in 'bubbles' experiencing daily testing, while Perspex screens and manipulated camera angles allowed for social distancing. Here we explore how the industry navigated restrictions for the last two years, the growing appeal of the UK as a base for productions, and the challenge of sustainability in a travel-packed itinerary.
Flexibility first
Organising travel for production companies is challenging at the best of times, with tight deadlines, last-minute changes to schedules and a need for confidentiality. The pandemic and ever-changing global travel restrictions amplified this task. While production companies deal with on-the-ground issues, travel management companies (TMCs) arrange the whole end-to-end travel experience - from pre-departure testing to travel locator forms, airline bookings and car hire, and accommodation and VIP meet and greets - while providing a bespoke service which caters to individual demands.
Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de Business Traveller UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 2022 de Business Traveller UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
A highlight is the rooftop pool, which is a tropical oasis for post-meeting R&R
The Peninsula London
The design is all about natural light, greenery and open-plan spaces
Raffles London at The OWO
A stay at Raffles London at The OWO is bucket-list worthy
Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-9 business class HO CHI MINH CITY-LONDON
The bedding was nice - with pre-attached seat protector plus soft pillow and silky duvet
Royal Air Maroc Boeing 737-800 business class CASABLANCA-LONDON GATWICK
The service was great throughout the flight and the cabin crew were very friendly
Istanbul
Mosques, subterranean reservoirs and waterside attractions in the cosmopolitan Turkish city
Barking mad
Hoteliers worldwide are reaching for their dog bowls to meet the increasing demand of business travellers bringing their pets
BANGKOK RENAISSANCE
Whether it's extended metro lines, the huge number of new hotels or the parks springing up in the heart of the city, Thailand's capital is so much more than a stopover destination
GRAPE EXPECTATIONS
Discover the best wines available in the sky - and why you should avoid bold tannins inflight
RISKY BUSINESS
Business travellers need their wits about them more than ever these days with strategies in place should the worst happen