United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
WTTC: Billions will be lost due to delaying international travel restart
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warns that nearly £27 billion will be lost from the UK economy if the government delays restarting international travel until 17 May.
The date was set by Prime Minister Boris Johnson when he unveiled the highly anticipated roadmap out of lockdown last week.
According to the government’s roadmap, two households will be able to mix outdoors from 29 March and WTTC believes this should signal the restart of safe international travel.
Resuming international travel by just seven weeks earlier, to coincide with the Easter holiday break, could save struggling travel & tourism businesses up and down the country and provide a much-needed economic boost to the economy.
WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, fears delaying the revival of international travel for another seven weeks, will hasten the further slide into collapse of a sector which contributes £200 billion annually to the UK economy.
It is responsible for almost four million jobs.
The loss of almost £27 billion represents a damaging daily drain to the UK economy of more than £550 million, which can be counted in lost jobs and failed businesses up and down the country, WTTC says.
WTTC has consistently argued that international travel can safely resume with a comprehensive, coordinated international regime for testing upon departure and arrival for travellers.
Testing should be in place alongside the global vaccine rollout, enhanced health and hygiene protocols, and most importantly, mandatory mask wearing, which experts say can cut down transmission of the virus by more than 80%, to safely revive international travel.
Additionally, the introduction of digital health passes or certificates will support the recovery.
Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO, said: "While the UK government’s announcement that international travel could resume on 17 May gives us grounds for optimism, it will come as cold comfort to struggling SMEs and travel & tourism businesses up and down the country.
"Our economic modelling shows the brutal impact the £27 billion loss could have, caused by delaying the restart of international travel by just seven weeks.
"It would be far less economically damaging to invest in testing and biometric technology which could safely reopen the doors to travel and save the millions of jobs at risk."
Source: WTTC PR
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike