ABTA has called on the government to set out a roadmap to kickstart international travel as the UK’s 14-day quarantine on arrival policy comes into force.
ABTA Chief Mark Tanzer says he wants the government to give businesses and consumers adequate assurances on restarting international travel.
The ABTA Chief has called on ministers to bring forward a coordinated plan to restart international travel saying that the current 14-day quarantine measures would have a “serious impact” on demand for holidays and business travel.
He also stressed the wide-ranging, knock-on effects the stringent measures will have on the UK’s travel and tourism sector.
He has also called on the government to provide a detailed roadmap to “transition away” from the Foreign Office’s current advice against all non-essential travel worldwide.
ABTA is calling on the roadmap to include restoring consumer confidence and demand for travel; establishing common health and safety protocols; and encouraging insurance providers to start offering travellers cover again.
Tanzer said: “This will require a strategic, cross-departmental approach from the government.
“We must restart international travel as soon as it is safe to do so. Businesses and customers would benefit from the government outlining when this is likely to happen.
“There are many livelihoods at stake, and bookings will only start to pick-up in earnest when people and businesses have a better idea as to what the government’s plan is to open up the UK and access to international destinations.
“This is going to take a coordinated approach, and ABTA will continue to do whatever it takes to assist with this process on behalf of travel agents and tour operators across the UK who are desperate for a clearer direction for travel.
“Of course, safety must absolutely come first, which is why the government also needs to set out clearly the relevant scientific advice and epidemiological factors informing decisions, including the quarantining policy before its review in three weeks,” he added.
