Hotel quarantine could be ‘death knell’ for travel industry

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that arrivals from high-risk countries will have to quarantine in designated hotels, although further details – including the timing – have yet to be confirmed.

Industry bodies have reacted to the news, with the Scottish Passengers Agents’ Association saying it could be the ‘death knell’ for the Scottish travel industry.

Alan Glen, past president and council member of the SPAA added: "Hotel quarantine, on top of testing, self-isolation, the closure of travel corridors, passenger locator forms etc will completely decimate the Scottish travel industry which is already on its knees."

Mr Glen questioned whether it wasn’t already too late to introduce a quarantine. He added: "With hotel quarantine in place for it is unlikely that there will be any recognisable Scottish travel industry left."

He called for further financial support for the Scottish travel industry, adding: "Without further, and immediate, real-time support, the industry is on the verge of collapse."

Andrew Crawley, Chief Commercial Officer, American Express Global Business Travel said the new restrictions would be ‘catastrophic’ for the travel industry.

"This is another knee-jerk reaction," he added. "It makes it impossible from businesses to prepare. We urgently need a government plan that provides a path forward for UK PLC as we look to emerge from this situation and stimulate economic growth.

"The government must also now move to provide financial aid to airlines and travel businesses, many of which will struggle to survive this latest development."

ABTA also called for more support for the jobs and businesses affected and a ‘clear roadmap for travel’.

"It is now 12 months since the travel industry started to be affected by coronavirus, yet the Government has still not provided any tailored financial support to the sector," said a spokesperson.

"Jobs are being lost at an alarming rate and longstanding businesses have gone to the wall. The lack of financial support targeted at addressing the consequences for businesses of international travel restrictions needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"The introduction of quarantine hotels for ‘red list countries’ builds on a mountain of existing measures for travel, and we need to see a clear plan for how these will be lifted.

"The Government needs to work with the industry to develop a route forward for reopening travel, reviewing all of the existing measures and coordinating with overseas governments. While the vaccine rollout is positive, the industry cannot wait for the whole UK adult population to be vaccinated before travel restarts – and businesses cannot afford to lose another summer.

"We also know that many people have a desire to get back to experiences that they value highly and have missed dearly, including travel to visit family and friends abroad."

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: "It is worth remembering that we currently already have very stringent controls at our borders, with anyone arriving into the UK – from anywhere in the world – requiring a negative pre-departure test or are prevented from entering.

"These latest measures come on top of strict controls. We urgently need a roadmap out of these restrictions so that travel can resume as soon as it is safe and so airlines and customers can make plans alongside broader economic support from the Chancellor while air travel at any scale is not possible."

Advantage CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said said the body accepts tighter border controls ‘if that it what is necessary’ but criticised ministers for telling the public over the past few days not to plan holidays for the future.

"Why do members of the Government feel it is their place to further crush confidence?" she asked.

" What the Government continually fails to acknowledge is the number of jobs sustained by the outbound travel industry and that being an Island nation travel is not just for a holiday.

"After nearly a year of disruption, and international travel effectively shut down our members represent hundreds of business owners across the UK under immense financial pressure with over 50% been unable to benefit from government grants due to not being in a designated ‘closed’ retail environment.

"We need Government to support the industry, extend furlough until the autumn, stop making ill-informed off the cuff comments and allow the British public to make their own judgement on future plans to travel later this year once it’s safe to do so."

Consumers association Which? said that if the Government wants to reduce non-essential travel, airlines should be made to refund passengers for flights they can’t take without breaking the law. While some airlines will allow customers to change their flights free of charge, they are denying cash refunds for flights that go ahead.