The Advantage Travel Partnership have called the removal of the Canary Islands from the UK’s travel corridor “absolutely devastating” pointing out that “travel agents will now have the difficult task of re-booking and cancelling passengers, while the majority of their workforce remain on furlough”.
Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO at Advantage Travel Partnership said: “The Canary Islands being removed from the travel ‘safe list’ will be absolutely devastating for some travel agents and tour operators.
“Given the limited number of destinations suitable for winter sun holidays that are also exempt from self-isolation upon return to the UK, the majority of departures over the next few weeks would have been to the Canaries, particularly since the UK lockdown has been lifted and in the lead-up to the Christmas period.
“Travel agents will now have the difficult task of re-booking and cancelling passengers, while the majority of their workforce remain on furlough. Without a travel corridor the FCDO advisory will kick in and advise against all but essential travel, meaning any passengers who are able to travel and quarantine on arrival will need to check their travel insurance.
The ONS October data released today place travel agents at the top of the list of businesses most impacted by the pandemic, trading at –90%. At what point will the government recognise that tailored support is needed? The travel industry is vital to economic recovery but continued changes to the travel corridor measures, blanket FCDO advisory and a testing regime that still hasn’t been implemented is causing devastation and misery to many businesses.
“The travel industry had started to feel like it was turning a corner, however the removal of The Canaries is hugely damaging. We strongly urge the government to advise at their earliest convenience their plans for the test and release scheme as well as a much needed review of the FCDO advisory.”
