Days of cheap holidays are over, warns travel expert
SCOTS face paying more for holidays after Brexit, a Glasgow tourism academic has warned.
Less choice of destinations, higher prices for flights and accommodation and a rise in insurance are all predicted once the UK leaves the European Union.
Professor John Lennon, of Glasgow Caledonian University said travellers could expect more disruption to flights as new access arrangements for flights will need to be agreed with countries aviation authorities.
Professor Lennon said industry insiders believe cut price deals on foreign holidays will disappear after Brexit next year.
He said: “Almost all major UK outbound destinations are more expensive, with the exception of Turkey.
“The cost of flying, travel insurance, and data roaming charges are likely to rise post-Brexit. Travellers will also face increased costs for food, beverages and accommodation because of the weakness of sterling.”
He said all flights to European Union countries, the US and Canada are through negotiated deals with the EU and warned there is growing concern about the impact of Brexit on UK airlines.
Professor Lennon added: ““As the UK leaves the EU, the potential for far worse access agreements could seriously damage the flying rights of UK airlines.
“The scale of the negotiating task that faces the British government is colossal. There are more than 60 air access agreements to be renegotiated.”
He predicted the days of cheap travel insurance could also be over as travellers will need cover for flight delays and medical repatriation costs.
Currently, the EU open skies policy allows airlines to fly freely between EU destinations. It is credited with the rise of the budget airlines with easyjet and Ryanair taking advantage the opportunities of the EU rules.
Travel experts also say it has led to a reduction in the cost of flights from national carriers such as British Airways and Air France.
A deal between the European Union and the United States of America has also led to cheaper flights.
Much will depend on what, if any, Brexit agreement the UK reaches with the European Union.
Leading UK-based airlines warned before the EU referendum that the cost of flights would increase and there would be fewer destinations to chose from. Professor Lennon said: “People see holidays as a primary purchase. They will still go on holiday but it’s going to get more expensive.”