Industry impatient for details on travel corridors
Industry bodies are calling on the UK Government to get a move on with its announcement on travel corridors, saying the delays are putting more jobs at risk.
Despite confirming last Friday that a new scheme would replace the blanket 14-day quarantine from Monday (July 6), ministers still haven’t confirmed details.
Reports have emerged that the list could be up to 75 countries, much more than the 15 originally expected, but this has not been confirmed.
The delay in revealing which countries will be quarantine free has left many travel companies in the dark about whether they can resume their operations.
In a statement, WTTC president and CEO Gloria Guevara said: "For the best part of a week the UK government has delayed announcing which countries will be safe for British holidaymakers to fly to for what’s left of their summer holidays, resulting in frustration and confusion among travellers.
"While we understand the need to secure reciprocal travel agreements, the clock has been ticking. Each day we delay, more jobs in the travel and tourism sector will be lost or put at risk, both in the UK and overseas.
"We need to restore consumer confidence so that travellers and holidaymakers can book flights and holidays and be sure they will be able to travel when and where they want and enjoy a much-need break away. We encourage the UK government to let consumers know where they stand without any further delay."
With no details forthcoming, airlines have been re-launching thousands of international flights even though the FCO is still advising against all non-essential overseas travel.
Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air have all ramped up their schedules in anticipation
It is believed most of Europe will be quarantine free, along with Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
Countries are being rated according to the prevalence of coronavirus.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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