Shambles could cost British travel industry £20billion

THE 14-day quarantine period for foreign visitors will drive millions away and cost the tourism industry £19.7billion, it is claimed.

According to a forecast from Visit Britain, the loss could be far higher if the restrictions remain in place for any longer than three weeks.

Before the pandemic, Visit Britain expected some 42.1million tourists in 2020, spending £30.3billion. But its latest figures predict a 59 per cent fall in the number of visitors, bringing it down to 16.8million and a 63 per cent cut in spending to £10.6billion.

However, Visit Britain said: ‘This scenario assumes that the quarantine period will last for a period of three weeks starting June 8.

‘[It also] assumes international travel will resume from July although will be initially at a low level. Tourism numbers are forecast to gradually rise throughout the remainder of 2020 but are still very likely to be well below normal levels by the end of the year.

It added: ‘The model specifically assumes that there is no second wave of the virus, or if there is that it would not be severe enough to necessitate going back into lockdown or quarantine.’ Visit

Britain has also forecast a huge fall in domestic tourism spending, which will be a blow to every business from hotels, B&Bs and campsites to chip shops and ice cream vans.

The organisation predicts a fall of £22.1billion in domestic tourism spending in 2020 compared to last year. It said this loss equates to £14.2billion from day trips and £7.9billion from longer stays.

Acting chief executive Patricia Yates recently told MPs: ‘Every time we do the [financial] modelling the figures get worse.’ She told the House of Commons Culture Select Committee that it is important the normal summer season is extended and has recommended introducing an extra Bank Holiday in October.

‘The idea is we could have a Bank Holiday in October, because the industry lost the benefit of the two May Bank Holidays,’ she said. ‘We are going to need, not just to generate people in July and August, but really extend the season for the domestic market through to the October half term.’

The government in New Zealand, which has set the standard for how to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, is actively considering introducing extra public holidays.