ABTA has praised the latest update to the UK’s traffic light for travel system saying it now “provides some stability to international travel” however, the industry body urges the government to now “focus its attention on sorting out some of the structural issues that are stopping people travelling” such as the high cost of PCR tests.
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA – The Travel Association said: “The latest travel update provides some stability to international travel as well as reassurance for holidaymakers heading off to popular holiday destinations over the coming weeks.
“The Government now needs to focus its attention on sorting out some of the structural issues that are stopping people travelling and delaying the industry’s recovery. The UK may be leading the way on the vaccine rollout but it is lagging behind other countries when it comes to opening up international travel and making it easy for people to travel.
“The Government can and should do more to capitalise on the successful vaccine roll out in the UK – our neighbours across the channel have been able to travel without restriction for quite some time if they have been double vaccinated. The expensive testing regime is putting people off taking a holiday overseas and is unnecessarily onerous when people are returning from low-risk countries.”
The Association has also reminded the government of the pressing case of travel agents up and down the country who “haven’t had access to the same level support as other industries” and are still struggling to get back on their feet after what has been a devastating 18 months.
“We also need the Government to recognise the impact the pandemic has had on travel businesses and support them in the industry’s recovery,” Tanzer said. “Travel agents, tour operators and travel management companies haven’t had access to the same level support as other industries yet their opportunity to trade their way out of the crisis remains severely restricted by the Government. The end of furlough is a real worry for many companies and the Government needs to provide financial support for the sector.”
