COMMENT The Brexit deal provides both continuity and disruption for the travel sector


By Luke Petherbridge, Abta director of public affairs


The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, signed on December 30, is a lean deal but avoids the uncertainty and disruption a no-deal end to the Brexit transition would have caused. Point-to-point transport links


between the UK and EU will continue with minimal disruption. The UK joined the Interbus Agreement from January 1 which maintains point-to-point coach routes


between the UK and EU. The agreement also includes provisions to enable occasional services to pass through the EU to a third country, securing continued access to countries such as Switzerland. Access to healthcare in


EU countries has been a priority for Abta and we’re pleased to see it continue. UK travellers can use


European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) up to the existing expiry date and then apply for


Luke Petherbridge


Robin Witt, co-founder of Not Just Travel, dies


A co-founder of Not Just Travel died on Christmas Eve after a four-year battle with a rare form of dementia. Accountant Robin Witt (pictured) was an elder brother of Steve Witt, who runs the firm with Paul Harrison. The three formed the business in 2001. Robin Witt, who was 46, had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.


Tui agent spared jail after theft conviction


LEADING THE WAY: Agents featuring in Abta’s latest marketing video say consumers are increasingly turning to the trade for advice amid a “minefield” of travel regulations. A dozen Abta members’ selfie videos were edited together for the second phase of the association’s Travel with Confidence campaign. Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel, is among the members featured. He said: “2021 will be the year of the travel agent. Some people booked by themselves in the past and perhaps saved £10 but had so much hassle they now want an agent to do the work for them.” Andrew Meech, partner at Liphook Travel, said: “With Brexit and Covid, it’s a minefield, so people need to understand what documents to travel with.”


travelweekly.co.uk


A Tui agent who stole £49,221 from its Kendal branch over more than three years has been given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years. Layla Elizabeth Hayhurst, 30, of Lancaster, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday. She had exploited a currency buy-back guarantee.


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a Global Health Insurance Card. As ever, Abta encourages travellers to buy insurance with adequate medical cover. The deal achieves stability in many


policy areas and, crucially, means there is a basis for further talks to resolve outstanding issues. However, travelling to Europe will


be different. Customers will need to take additional steps such as checking passports are valid for six months, using the right lanes on arrival and obtaining necessary vaccinations and certificates to take pets abroad. Travel companies have a role to play in ensuring customers are prepared. Businesses must adapt in significant areas, including financial protection and


financial services where ‘passporting’ – which allows firms in the European Economic Area to do business in any other fellow member state – ends. There is work to be done on


outstanding issues. A fundamental one is the ability to send UK workers abroad. Up to 20,000 people a year work seasonal jobs under the Posted Workers Directive and its loss is a blow. Provisions in the trade deal fall far short of replicating its benefits. Agreements with EU states will be a priority for Abta. The agreement is an important


step, but there should be no illusions this is the end of the matter. Talks will continue on unresolved issues.


PICTURES: Robin Stanley; Steve Dunlop


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