Continued from page 78
described the ETA as “low-cost” and pledged it would be “competitive with equivalent systems run by other countries”. The EU’s European Travel
Information and Authorisation System (Etias), for which there is not yet a start date, will cost €7 (£6). But a US Esta costs $21 (£17), including processing fee. Home Office documents on
the ETA’s introduction distinguish between passengers transiting airside and those connecting with flights after passing through the border, and have done from the start, suggesting at least a trial exemption was always likely. The industry will argue the
government has at least listened on transit passengers by agreeing a trial. But the quid pro quo is that the system must pay for itself. The Home Office described the
changes as “next steps for a more efficient immigration system” and “measures to reduce the reliance of the migration and borders system on taxpayer funding”. They are therefore in tune with two government priorities. The fees, which also increase
for other “immigration and nationality services”, are forecast to generate an additional £269 million a year. Global industry leaders have
argued for ‘seamless’ travel and borders for some time. This is the price. Whether this fits the government’s priority for growth is another matter. It appears the Home Office does not share tourism minister Chris Bryant’s aim to increase overseas visitor numbers by almost one third to 50 million a year by 2030. Presumably, the government will check the £10 ETA does not have a negative impact on numbers before proceeding with the hike.
MPs to vote on bill for Youth Mobility Scheme with EU
MPs will vote on a bill to re-establish a Youth Mobility Scheme with EU nations following a debate last week. A motion for the bill, which
requires the government to enter talks with EU members on a reciprocal Youth Mobility Scheme, was presented by Liberal Democrat MP James MacCleary under the Ten Minute Rule allowing backbench MPs to propose legislation.
MacCleary argued the UK’s
tourism sector “has been grappling with the impact of the last government’s failure to address youth mobility with the EU” and noted: “Abta reported a 69% drop in UK nationals working in European tourism roles in the five years after the referendum.” He insisted he was proposing
“a defined scheme” but noted the government “has so far ruled out such a scheme” and called on ministers “to give a proper explanation”. Abta public affairs director
Luke Petherbridge said: “Abta provided a briefing to MacCleary
James MacCleary
ahead of his speech to highlight how restrictions on labour mobility have impacted travel, tourism and hospitality businesses, and reduced opportunities for young people.” MacCleary’s motion was
unopposed. A second reading of the bill is due in July.
Abta adds climate to list of ‘strategic’ challenges
Ian Taylor
Abta has added sustainability and climate-related risks to the “strategic” challenges it judges the association and industry face in its latest accounts. The list of strategic risks in recently
published financial statements for the 12 months to June 2024 includes references to climate change and to protests at overtourism for the first time. The accounts note: “Climate
change, sustainability and the environment continued to increase in importance for the sector and in media coverage. Wildfires in 2023 in Greece required the evacuation of UK holidaymakers in some cases, bringing climate change issues to the fore.” Abta also notes: “A number
of protests from local people, in the Canaries, Balearics and other [destinations], drew attention to the problems they identified with overtourism and the impact on their
78 23 JANUARY 2025
respect of climate change and other environmental and social impacts.” The association launched its
Tourism for Good roadmap for rebuilding travel in October 2020. The latest accounts note Abta “is
Mark Tanzer
lives of large numbers of visitors.” It added these ‘risks’ to “a number
of wider issues [with] the potential to present challenges for the sector”, with Abta “factoring in responses to them in its work programme”. Abta introduced a “risk that
members do not develop compelling sustainability programmes” to its core strategic risks in accounts for 2021-22, pledging: “Abta will push on from its Tourism for Good report to demonstrate members’ progress towards a more sustainable travel model in
actively pursuing a decarbonisation policy agenda” and “stepped up engagement with the Sustainable Aviation alliance over the past year”. Addressing the Travel Convention
in October, Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer warned: “The challenge of global warming and climate change has intensified. The evidence of accelerating change is all around us. It’s quite possible certain types of holiday, in certain locations, will become unviable.” He also warned: “We cannot
turn a blind eye to overtourism, saying it’s due only to the growth of the private rental market. Finding the right balance between the interests of hosts and tourists requires adaptation on both sides.”
travelweekly.co.uk
PICTURE: House of Commons
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
