Amber confusion fuels client anger Juliet Dennis


Agents insist they are acting responsibly when booking amber destinations but remain frustrated by mixed government messaging. Ministers have warned consumers


not to travel to amber countries on holiday but operators are running programmes to destinations the Foreign Office does not advise against non-essential travel to. While most agents are not actively


promoting amber destinations, such as the Canary Islands and some Greek islands, they are taking bookings. Paul Waters, director at Premier


Travel, said: “It’s down to the client if they want to travel. We’ll provide


them with all the information – potential restrictions and testing requirements – and ensure they have a good, valid insurance policy.” The Advantage Travel Partnership


has given members a ‘traffic light support pack’ to advise clients who want to book amber destinations. Leisure director Kelly Cookes


said “not many” members were “actively promoting” amber countries for imminent departures, but added: “We are seeing bookings for amber destinations for later in the summer.” “Customers are finding it hard to


understand what they can and can’t do,” she said. “There is frustration from those that have moved their holidays multiple times and definitely a lack of


Abta vows to keep up pressure after Westminster debate


Ian Taylor


The government rejected calls for a relaxation of travel restrictions and financial support for agents at a Westminster debate on Monday, but Abta welcomed the level of support among MPs and pledged to keep the issue on ministers’ agenda. An Abta-backed petition triggered


the debate, at which health minister Jo Churchill told MPs: “I feel for travel agents. However, they are supported by the Treasury and the different interventions in place and those are ongoing.” She dismissed calls to relax travel


restrictions, saying: “There is a large proportion of the population who’ve


6 27 MAY 2021


not been vaccinated so it’s vital we retain restrictions. We’re opening up, but slowly.” Moving the motion on international


travel and Covid-19, Nick Fletcher, Conservative MP for Don Valley, noted the pressures on the industry and argued: “Travel agents have been disproportionately impacted. “Agents are in a particularly


perilous position because they don’t receive commissions until customers travel and, when customers cancel, have to issue refunds out of their own account. [And] they’re concerned what support is available will be wound down too soon.” He insisted: “There are a range of measures ministers could consider.”


It’s down to the client if they want to travel [to an amber country]. We’ll provide all the information


understanding on why they can’t get a full refund if they don’t want to travel.” Agents said a “joined-up”


government approach was needed. New campaign group Target,


which has now attracted 950 agents, said trade bodies should mount a legal challenge against the amber advice. Co-founder Graeme Brett,


director of Westoe Travel, said “without clear guidance from


Health minister Jo Churchill


government, agents are stuck in the middle”. He said: “Members have reported customers becoming irate and aggressive after trying to cancel holidays to amber destinations but [where] operators are saying the holiday is still operating.” Barrhead Travel president


Jacqueline Dobson said clients were nervous. She said: “With so much contradictory advice, it’s not surprising customers are confused. “If government does not act now


to ensure travel advice is clear and to align its internal departments, and across the four nations, we’re set to


have another tricky summer.” i Get Social, page 27 i Amber legal advice, page 46


Most MPs backed the petition,


although speakers for both main opposition parties argued against lifting restrictions. North Norfolk MP Duncan


Baker called for extra support despite arguing against relaxing restrictions. He said: “We understand the traffic


light system could still be in place in 2022. When leisure and hospitality receive specific support, it seems only reasonable we consider specific support for the travel industry.” Labour shadow health minister


Justin Madders criticised the government’s “inconsistent messaging” and warned: “There is ambivalence at the heart of this policy which Covid could be ready to exploit. This


ambiguity over amber has to end.” Commenting on the debate,


Abta director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “We know there is support across all parties for a cautious and risk-based approach to restart. [But] almost every speaker spoke in support of tailored assistance for travel companies.” Petherbridge told Travel Weekly:


“There was widespread agreement the government needs to rethink its approach as the domestic unlocking progresses and bring forward tailored financial support that reflects the constraints the government is imposing on trade. Abta is following up with speakers and will ensure this stays on the government agenda.”


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