ABTA calls on government to support the travel industry
The association insists that while a vaccine will help boost travel trade, the travel sector still needs support now, and it is vital to an overall economic recovery
Covid-19-related travel restrictions have meant that nine in ten holidays were either cancelled or rearranged in July and August, says UK-based Travel Association (ABTA), formerly the Association of British Travel Agents. “The travel industry has had no meaningful chance to recover – bookings have largely vanished, cancellations are common as destinations move on and off the travel corridor list and the government is yet to deliver a testing framework for industry and customers,” said Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive of ABTA.
ABTA insists that travel businesses have a ‘strong case’ to be eligible for government support grants; it notes that one-third of businesses have not yet resumed active operations, and, as such, businesses expect to end the year 93-per-cent down on bookings compared to this time last year, which will lead to an ‘alarming rate’ of widespread job losses.
ABTA urges members to sign its Save Future Travel petition
ABTA has therefore renewed its calls to the government to support the travel industry. The trade association is calling upon its members and the wider travel industry to sign Abta’s Save Future Travel petition, which, upon reaching 100,000 signatures, will trigger a ‘much-needed debate’ in Parliament.
Boosting travel trade integral to the recovery of the overall UK economy
While a vaccine, such as the Pfizer one, which is being widely reported on now, will go some way to restoring consumer confidence in booking future travel plans, ABTA insists that travel businesses need help now.
Tanzer notes that there is still a demand for travel: “We are starting to see people booking for summer 2021 – demonstrating the importance of travel and resilience of the market. This will no doubt be boosted by the news of a vaccine, but we must remember that a robust vaccine programme is many months away and the industry is struggling now.
“It is short-sighted of the government to overlook the industry as travel is fundamental to our economic recovery.”