Exasperated ABTA slams govt as agents suffer more woe

Frustrated ABTA officials have attacked the government’s ongoing treatment of the industry after travel agents were removed from a list of non-essential businesses that were forced to close.

The trade body said the decision – which means agents will not be automatically considered for £3000 Lockdown Restrictions Support Grants – demonstrated a ‘lack of understanding’.

It urged ministers to reconsider.

The removal from the list is another kick in the teeth for ABTA and its members who have been at loggerheads with the government for months over its perceived disinterest in the industry.

The latest ruling has left officials exasperated.

"The decision to remove travel agents from the list of closed businesses shows a lack of understanding for how the travel industry works," a spokesperson said. "ABTA has explained this to Ministers and officials a number of times, and we are disappointed that a decision with such serious ramifications has been taken without officials engaging directly with the sector on the practicalities."

In making its decision, the Cabinet Office said travel agents are able to operate remotely and were therefore not closed by law.

ABTA dismissed such logic and insisted agents are dependent on footfall for a ‘significant part of their trade’.

The impact on trade is identical, or worse, than many of those businesses which are on the list, it added.

"For example, florists can operate click and collect services in a manner that is not an option to travel agents," ABTA said.

"The Regulations adopted by the Government have removed the ability of the industry’s customers to take holidays at this time, and the policy decisions taken throughout the crisis, while correctly taken with public health in mind, have severely restricted the ability of companies to sell organised travel for the past eight months.

"This is a situation that has not been faced by many other sectors or businesses throughout the crisis."

Tour operators and travel management companies are also being hit ‘yet there has been no offer of financial support for the travel industry’.

In addition to urging a re-think, ABTA called for clarification over whether travel agents remained eligible for the Lockdown Restrictions Support Grants, ‘as per the Chancellor’s answer when questioned in the House of Commons on 5 November and the initial information published by the Government following the announcement of lockdown’.

"We also urge the Chancellor to make tailored financial support to all travel businesses, in recognition of the fact that the international travel industry has been experiencing conditions akin to the lockdown since the crisis began in March."