Travel sector needs boost
WE’RE ALL STILL getting used to this limbo we find ourselves in.
We need some long term thinking and effective communication from the Scottish Government especially with regards to air travel. I have spoken to aviation and transport bosses and they feel completely left out of the decision making process. Communication on this has to get better. Our travel and airline sector need to know the plan and need a four-week lead-in time in order to get that plan in place.
The sector has had a completely debilitating year and a half and they need flexibility in order to get back on their feet. Like all airports, Edinburgh's acts as a hub for the city. Edinburgh especially relies on its airport for the many tourists and international visitors we receive.
Post-pandemic we will be competing with other airports in the UK and indeed across the whole world and we need the government to do right by the sector. There is still no plan in place for vaccine passports in Scotland and if it is to be based around another app then there needs to be far more support and oversight on this.
It will take time to build back confidence in the travel sector. There are surely ways of doing this safely as has been seen in other countries. Robust testing practices can be put in place which allow our carriers to operate.
There is too much short termism from the government and a lack of joined up thinking. I am relieved that we don't see reckless wholesale dropping of restrictions in Scotland but the problem here is that rules have become so complicated and difficult to follow that they are being abandoned by many. The regulations are incoherent and need a major overhaul. We need a return to normality with simpler rules while keeping businesses in the loop.