Travel industry criticises UK government for Covid-19 restrictions

The travel industry hit out at the UK government for “looking away during its darkest hour” and imposing harsh Covid-19 restrictions as the sector struggles to stay afloat.

Organisations throughout tourism and aviation will join a “travel day of action” on Wednesday to call for the safe reopening of travel and will appeal for more financial help.

Events are planned in airports around the country and outside the parliaments in London and Edinburgh.

According to the Guardian, the chief executive of the travel association Abta, Mark Tanzer, said the green list destinations, where travel was permitted without requiring quarantine on return, accounted for less than 0.5% of UK international tourism.

“The language of ‘embracing an opportunity’ will be as a dagger to the heart of many travel agents and tour operators who are fighting for their very survival,” he said.

He added: “There has been no lack of engagement from our side throughout the pandemic … and yet at our hour of greatest need the government seem intent on looking away.”

He also said that Wednesday’s upcoming protests were “a reflection of how angry people are and how desperate people are … on the point of failure, losing not just their businesses but their homes”.

Abta is considering taking legal action against the government over the implementation of the international travel restrictions.

The industry is calling for the traffic light system to be used transparently and consistently. It is also asking for the government to allow double-vaccinated travelers to move freely without quarantine.