Changing travel rules a“hammer blow”for holidaymakers

The boss of Barrhead Travel said the latest announcements on foreign travel will be a“hammer blow”to holidaymakers.

Jacqueline Dobson said the decision that Portugal was being removed from the UK Government’s green list was made without consultation with the travel industry.

She said:“This announcement further compounds the damage that has already been inflicted on the travel industry.

“It’s disappointing for the industry and it will be a hammer blow to the thousands of travellers who haven’t seen family or loved ones for months on end and those holidaymakers who are already abroad.

“At the drop of a hat the government has determined that these changes are required without meaningful consultation with the industry and without due consideration for the consequences. We have long been at the stage where a genuine, tangible route map out of this crisis is required.

“Sadly, it appears that this is not forthcoming and instead we hurtle from one disastrous announcement to another.

“We know that public health has to come first but the travel industry needs to see a clear roadmap to recovery or risk further permanent damage.

“Across the world, international travel is beginning to safely restart and, without imminent timelines in place for the UK, we risk falling well behind our global counterparts.”