Sue Ockwell blasts Grant Shapps on BBC
Travel industry stalwart Sue Ockwell has poured scorn on Transport Secretary Grant Shapps’ warning to the public not to book summer holidays.
Speaking to the BBC, Sue, a long-standing travel PR and spokesperson for AITO, branded his comments earlier today as ‘puerile and non-sensical’.
Mr Shapps had told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 that people shouldn’t book a holiday ‘which at this stage is illegal’.
He said it was too early to know whether we will be able to travel this summer.
But Sue said booking holidays was necessary to give people ‘something to look forward to and to keep travel companies going’.
In a statement, ABTA said the industry couldn’t afford to wait for the full rollout of the Covid vaccination programme before people start to travel again.
A spokesperson added: "We need a reopening strategy that keeps up with the developing medical situation and with medical understanding, and considers the role of optional vaccine certificates and testing together to open up travel.
"The Government also needs to provide tailored financial support to help travel businesses through the difficulties they are facing."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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