Short Brexit delay ‘continues agony and uncertainty for travel’
Theresa May’s decision to ask European Union leaders to postpone Brexit for three months is bad news for the travel industry.
AITO director Noel Josephides said: "A delay until June merely continues the agony and uncertainty for the travel industry.
"A longer delay would at least help restore the confidence of the travelling public and would allow the European market a chance of recovery."
The Prime Minister will travel to Brussels today to try to persuade the other 27 countries to delay the UK’s exit beyond March 29.
If European members decline the request, the UK will leave the EU next Friday without a withdrawal agreement.
May has asked the EU for a short extension of Article 50, until June 30, by which time she hopes enough MPs will back the deal.
European Council President Donald Tusk has indicated the EU would agree to a short extension, on condition the deal is agreed by MPs next week.
However, in her speech last night, May said she would not postpone Brexit past June 30.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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