The UK travel industry is on the brink of the unknown as prime minister Theresa May prepares to trigger the formal Article 50 divorce procedure from the European Union tomorrow (Wednesday).
The warning came from Travelzoo UK managing director Joel Brandon-Bravo.
His comment follow Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson declaring that travel has already been severely damaged by the fallout from Brexit.
Invoking Article 50 will mean a move “from a period of travel uncertainty to the definite unknown” as the UK enters negotiations with Brussels, Brandon-Bravo said.
The top priority will be dealing with the impact of confirming the intention to quit the EU on the pound.
But other factors – unless well negotiated – could affect the cost and ease of travel for Britons in Europe, according to Brandon-Bravo.
He said: “Indecision around the EU open skies agreement, visa requirements for Europe, the potential loss of the EHIC card and the digital single market – which gives British travellers flat mobile roaming charges across Europe – are just a few of the issues that need to be a main priority for negotiations.
“Uncertainty inevitably kills consumer confidence in travel, and this has a knock on effect for holiday bookings.
“Unless the government acts quickly with negotiations, to reaffirm Europe as an affordable, easily accessible holiday destination, bookings will likely start to decline.”