Travel trade losses ‘will cost Britain £548m a day’
TRAVEL chiefs demanded Government aid yesterday after claiming tough restrictions would cost the country £548million a day.
They insisted tourism was vital to the economic recovery and warned it was the “hardest hit” sector after nearly 12 months of restrictions.
Holiday agents, airlines and analysts sounded alarm bells after vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said it was “too early” to book foreign holidays.
His intervention has fuelled a scramble for reservations at home.
Gloria Guevara, chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council, said lost revenue would knock £548million per day off the value of the UK economy.
She added: “If the UK is to have any hope of reviving the economy after the pandemic we have to protect a sector which will be instrumental in kick-starting it.”
Closure
Heathrow yesterday criticised the plan to make some travellers coming to England quarantine in hotels at their own expense.
A spokesman said: “Blanket hotel quarantine is effectively the closure of our borders, which carries huge ramifications for Britain and its aviation sector – already on its knees.”
Luke Petherbridge, public affairs director of the Association of British Travel Agents, called on ministers to draw up a roadmap out of the crisis. He said: “Travel agents and operators are the hardest hit. However, unlike other sectors, there hasn’t been any tailored financial support.
“The industry cannot wait for the whole UK adult population to be vaccinated – and businesses cannot afford to lose another summer.”
Tim Alderslade, of Airlines UK, and Karen Dee, chief executive of the Airport Operators Association, jointly warned: “The impact of further measures would be catastrophic.”