Travel sector holding day of action in response to restrictions on industry
The UK'S travel industry is holding a day of action to put pressure on the government to reopen the sector and provide tailored financial support to businesses.
Industry body Abta estimatesthat195,000traveljobs have been lost during the coronavirus pandemic or are at risk. It accused ministers of failing to deliver a restart to travel, by "undermining" the traffic light system.
There are no viable major tourist destinations on the quarantine-free green list, andthegovernmenthasurged people to avoid holidays to locations on the amber list.
Abta estimated that 800 people – including travel agents, pilots and cabin crew
– will gather outside the Palace of Westminster today.
Some 200 will meet at an event in Holyrood, Edinburgh, 100 will assemble in Belfast, and a virtual meeting will take place for campaigners in Wales.
The day of action is aimed at persuading the UK government to expand the green list, and remove testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated travellers returning from green and amber locations.
It also wants a package of tailored financial support introduced, such as extending the furlough scheme until April 2022.
Derek Jones, boss of luxury travel firm Kuoni, said: "The outbound travel sector has been decimated by this pandemic and by the government's haphazard response.”
He added: "We are united in one message today: we want to see the safe reopening of international travel alongside targeted financial support for businesses which have not been able to trade for well over a year."