Trade cheers plan but with caveats Ian Taylor


The industry broadly welcomed the government’s roadmap for lifting lockdown, but there is concern that the wait for detail on how travel will restart will delay bookings and the reopening of agencies. A reconstituted travel taskforce


will present recommendations on restarting travel to the prime minister by April 12, the earliest date for reopening non-essential retail in the roadmap. May 17 is the earliest international travel might resume, with all dates subject to possible delay. But reopening shops without


certainty on when travel can resume could prove costly. Marion Owen, owner of Marion Owen Travel in Hull, said: “The minute I open my


doors I have the costs of lighting, heating and staff. I’m not prepared to [take on] those overheads until we know clients can travel.” Miles Morgan Travel chairman


Miles Morgan said: “It’s positive we have a date, but we have to wait until April 12 because the government has to re-form the taskforce. How can any large travel business plan for the summer on that?” Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer


welcomed the revived taskforce and the “ambition to get people travelling before the summer” and Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade suggested the roadmap provides “the clarity the sector was looking for”. He said: “We look forward to working with ministers on the detail.” Dale Keller, chief executive of the


Agents bank on ‘life-saving’ aid in the Budget


Ben Ireland and Juliet Dennis


Agents are hopeful of a “life-saving” extension to furlough and business rates relief in next week’s Budget, with Abta continuing to push the case for sector-specific support for the industry. Wording in the government’s


roadmap report said it will “carefully tailor” support for businesses and Boris Johnson acknowledged in his speech that retail, tourism and aviation were among the “hardest-hit” sectors.


4 25 FEBRUARY 2021 Abta said it was “pleased” with the


update, adding: “Government needs to use March’s Budget to provide tailored financial support to the travel industry, recognising businesses have generated little income over the last 12 months.” The association wants grant schemes, furlough, VAT deferrals and business rates relief extended into the next financial year. Other trade bodies echoed calls


for sector-specific support, with Aito chairman Chris Rowles pointing out “we still have three more months to survive” until the earliest date travel may resume, May 17.


It’s positive we have


a date, but we have to wait till April 12 because the government has to re-form the taskforce


UK Board of Airline Representatives, pledged: “We’ll provide our full support and expertise to the revived taskforce.” Airport Operators Association


chief executive Karen Dee also welcomed the taskforce but argued: “It’s vital the UK government includes the devolved governments in this.” Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, agreed: “We ask


the government to work with the devolved nations, as a fragmented approach will hinder recovery.” Aito chairman Chris Rowles said


“it’s a big relief” and called for “all trade associations to be included in taskforce meetings”. He added: “Proof of vaccination


needs to be high on the agenda.” In fact, the government


announced a separate review of ‘Covid-status certification’ along with reviews of social distancing and holding major events. Some in the sector were less


welcoming. A Flight Centre spokesperson said: “We hoped the government would throw a lifeline to our struggling sector. We don’t


believe this goes far enough.” i Business, back page


Chris Bailey


Peter Cookson


Miles Morgan


Furlough is due to expire on


April 30, and business rates relief on March 31, but both are widely expected to be extended. Chris Bailey, managing director


of two-branch Bailey’s Travel, said extending the fillips “will be a lifesaver in the short term, as we are fast running out of cash”. “I suspect every high street agent


is in a broadly similar position,” he said. “The support needs to go well beyond the summer or there will be an avalanche of failures.” Spear Travels chairman Peter Cookson agreed, saying: “Every penny counts.”


Fred Olsen Travel head of


commercial Paul Hardwick said furlough extension was vital as sales volumes would not justify all staff returning to work by May, noting: “We are still not seeing any actual cash come through to our business.” Miles Morgan Travel chairman


Miles Morgan said the “crucial” extensions “would make a difference [and] keep lots of businesses going”. Paul Waters, director of Premier


Travel, said an extension of furlough and rates relief would “be a huge support” and would help agencies deal with a gradual return to business.


travelweekly.co.uk


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