The Save Future Travel Coalition is urging the UK Government to find a ‘route out of this crisis’ with Save Our Summer campaign co-founder Paul Charles saying the Government should open up travel by May 1.
The Coalition is calling on the Prime Minister to use next week’s lockdown update (February 22) to set out a clear route forward for the travel industry.
Many travel agents and tour operators haven’t been able to operate or generate income since the start of the pandemic last March, due to ever changing travel restrictions and quarantine rules.
The Coalition says that the situation ‘has worsened notably’ since international travel was made illegal.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said: “In a week’s time the Prime Minister is due to update the nation on a route out of lockdown. That must include a way forward for the travel industry to ensure that people are able to take an overseas holiday this summer.
“We completely understand the need for the Government to bring in temporary restrictions, like the additional measures around quarantine being brought in today, but we also need a route out of this crisis and some tailored financial support to help businesses get through what will be very difficult months ahead for the sector.
“Travel is vital for the economy. It has been a powerhouse of economic growth and employment. In normal times travel contributes £80 billion to the UK economy and supports close to one million jobs. It also underpins UK aviation and trading routes, with travel agents and tour operators putting the passengers on the planes.”
Speaking to Sky News, Save Our Summer co-founder Paul Charles said: “We are saying 1 May because we believe by then the most vulnerable will have had two doses, they will be seeing infection rates and mortality rates fall across the country and of course it will be much warmer by then.”
