Testing at aiports ‘vital to prevent the collapse of the tourism industry’
A TESTING regime at airports is needed to prevent a ‘disastrous’ impact on Scotland’s tourism industry, ministers have been warned.
Business groups yesterday said urgent action is required to prevent huge job losses across a range of industries.
The Scottish Government has asked airport chiefs to come up with plans for a testing regime that could help cut the time people have to go into quarantine when returning from a country not on the ‘safe’ list.
Proposals are expected to be submitted by the end of the week – and tourism chiefs will also set out the devastating impact of the current approach.
SNP ministers also came under fire last night after it was revealed they have failed to meet airport bosses in recent weeks despite widespread concern that the industry is facing ruin.
Willie Macleod, executive director for Scotland at umbrella group UK Hospitality, said: ‘The aviation industry needs to be allowed to get going. If it collapses we lose airlines and important routes into and out of Scotland. The effect on tourism, group and specialist tours, meetings, conferences, cultural and sporting events will be disastrous.’
Airport chiefs are expected to set out a two-test approach, where passengers are tested when they arrive in Scotland and again after a number of days.
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: ‘We have been working closely with airport representatives, tour operators and our colleagues at [trade association] Ukinbound to elevate the importance of the introduction of a testing regime at all UK airports to revive the international market which Scotland so desperately needs.
‘There continues to be significant redundancies across all sectors of the industry and these are only set to increase. It is vital that... the traveller and the public are given reassurance that we can offer a safe and warm welcome to all who wish to visit Scotland. Quickly establishing a robust testing regime is in our view a positive way forward.’
Joanne Dooey, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association, said: ‘It is good to hear that there are discussions ongoing about testing and quarantine for travellers. It can only be good for all travellers if the length of quarantine can be limited by a robust testing regime.
‘Scotland needs to get its travel sector moving again for the good of the whole economy.’ On Monday, Scottish Government officials held talks with airport chiefs, but no ministers were present.
Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative transport spokesman, said: ‘I think it is incumbent on [Transport Secretary] Michael Matheson to meet airport bosses... it is just not good enough that the Scottish Government can only send officials to speak to the airports who are worried about their future.’
A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: ‘Scottish airports and the Scottish Government have had constructive dialogue on how best to explore a suitable testing regime. We hope to have agreement in the coming days.’
A spokesman for Mr Matheson said: ‘The Transport Secretary is due to speak with Glasgow and Edinburgh bosses on Wednesday. In addition, senior clinicians have engaged with airports on the issue of quarantines.
‘But we’ll take no lectures from the Tories on supporting Scotland’s aviation sector. Unlike in Tory-run England, we have provided business rates relief to airports in Scotland to help them through the pandemic.’
‘A positive way forward’