Industry perplexed by ‘bewildering’ divisions in travel advice

The political handling of the travel corridors has come under renewed criticism after a chaotic and confusing update saw UK governments take differing views on which countries are safe.

While England and Northern Ireland kept Portugal on the safe travel list, Wales and Scotland removed it meaning returning holidaymakers must quarantine for 14 days on their return.

It created the absurd situation of some UK tourists dashing back from Portugal while others continued their holiday unaffected.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) branded it ‘bewildering’.

Transport secretary Grand Shapps also admitted the differing rules were confusing. He also flagged the possibiliry of the quarantine period being halved.

"We look at the data and then we do speak, but, I’m afraid, quite often come to slightly different outcomes, which I appreciate is confusing for people," he said.

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association Vice President Mike Tibbert said: "It feels as if the government is playing games, with all its half announcements and teasers. The entire travel sector and the travelling public need consistency and clear, well timed messaging, not a drip drip of what might or might not happen and which country might be added to or removed from the ‘safe list’.

"But the tooing and froing on the safe list versus quarantine is actually distracting from the main issue which is the total lack of immediate support for the travel sector and the complete absence of a strategic plan to save future travel.

"Once lost, our connectivity to the rest of the world – and consequently theirs to us – will disappear. And once this happens and we lose flight routes, it will be years before we can rebuild these.

"Is the government considering the impact this will have on Scottish and UK economy? It’s time that everyone realised this is NOT just about sunseeking holidaymakers and is EVEYTHING about the devastation this will have on our ability to do business with the rest of the world and vice versa."

ABTA said there remained a ‘desperate need for a clear and consistent approach’.

"Introducing quarantine based on the region, rather than country, and having better coordination between the four nations of the UK, would support the UK travel industry to start to recover and increase consumer confidence," a spokesperson said.

The World Travel and Tourism Council joined the chorus of criticisms

President and Chief Executive Gloria Guevara said: "WTTC shares the bewilderment of British holidaymakers and those working throughout the Travel & Tourism sector, at the absurd spectacle of completely different quarantine rules in England, Scotland and Wales for those now returning back from Greece. A similar situation is emerging with Portugal.

"This public policy lottery is creating chaos. It shows confusion, mistrust and further seriously undermines the government’s credibility in the eyes of the public.

"We urgently need to restore the confidence to travel, not create more uncertainty. It is vital we have a properly coordinated response across the UK, which people – and the Travel & Tourism sector – can both understand and have confidence in.

"Blanket quarantines are disruptive, unhelpful and have a devastating economic impact. Unfortunately, there has been no plan from the government on how to abandon them and focus instead on reopening ‘air corridors’ between cities which have similar low coronavirus infection rates to revive international business and leisure travel responsibly."

Which? Travel Editor Rory Boland added: "Days of speculation around this announcement meant many people rushed to pay extortionate prices for flights back to England to avoid having to quarantine on their return – only to now find out there was no need.

"The government knows this, and yet it continues to offer no clarity around how these decisions are made, all while ignoring the growing evidence suggesting this system is not working.

"If the government is serious about letting international travel resume while prioritising public health, a major reassessment of its approach is needed. It must also look further ahead to ensuring future travel is protected, and bring in major reforms to restore confidence among holidaymakers who have been let down over this period."