Travel Counsellors has encouraged its agents to contact their MP and call for changes to the government’s quarantine measures, due to be introduced on Monday.
The company has created a letter for individual travel counsellors to send to their MP if they wish to support lobbying efforts against the measures.
The letter says: “A mandatory quarantine on all inbound travellers, which will deter visitors from coming here, make UK travellers think twice about going abroad, and most likely incur reciprocal quarantine measures on British travellers to other countries, will have real consequences for the UK travel sector.”
It also calls for a change to the FCO’s advice against all-but-essential overseas travel, and urges the government to pursue the establishment of international travel corridors.
Steve Byrne, Travel Counsellors chief executive, said: “We completely agree and understand that the health, safety and wellbeing of travellers has been, and remains the most important thing, and we understand and appreciate that government measures will be driven by this priority.
“With an effective track and trace system now being put in place, together with confirmation of international air bridges or ‘travel corridors’, and enhanced health and safety requirements met by measures instated across the globe, we’re supporting our people to make their voice heard by encouraging their local MPs to see these initiatives as the most sensible and practical solution at this time.”
He added: “The travel industry is made up of thousands of brilliant, caring, professional and talented people who are focused on always doing the right thing for their customers and showing care whenever they can. We’re keen to do all that we can to support the industry as a whole in the many discussions that are happening to facilitate a recovery from this crisis, and to support our Travel Counsellors business owners in securing a brighter future for the remainder of the year and beyond.
“Above all, we wish to continue to support our customers to make the right choices on travel based on their personal circumstances and preferences, which is where the trusted relationships that Travel Counsellors, and others across the industry, provide really shine through. Customers will always remember the advice, support, expertise and care we showed to them throughout this time, and in the future.”
Travel Counsellors’ letter to local MPs ends by urging that the considerations are not only for the travel industry as a whole, but for small business owners across the UK.
