The travel industry has rallied against reports that UK travellers face being prevented from visiting the European Union from January 1, saying such action would “benefit no one”.
Covid-19 safety curbs that allow free travel within the bloc stop applying to the UK when the Brexit transition period ends, meaning Britons will only be able to travel to EU countries if the bloc relaxes its pandemic travel restrictions or individual member states choose to override the rules.
Industry bodies moved to dampen fears that popular holiday destinations would impose such restrictions on UK visitors – and urged the government to agree a trade deal with the EU.
An Abta spokesperson said: “The EU has sought to adopt a common approach to travel restrictions, but this is only a recommendation and individual countries are able to implement their own measures, including options like travel corridors and testing.
“It is too early to say what restrictions might be in place on January 1, given the uncertain nature of the pandemic, but we know that UK travellers are hugely important to a number of EU destinations, including some winter-sun favourites like the Canary Islands and Madeira.”
A spokesman for Airlines UK said: “We expect EU member states that gain enormously from the tourism and air travel from the UK, and the billions of pounds it generates, to continue to apply their own rules, in order to provide certainty to consumers and families looking to travel to the EU from January onwards.”
Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of the World Travel & Tourism Council, said: “It is vital for countries to work together to enable seamless travel throughout the pandemic – and beyond.
“With lower infection rates than much of the EU, there are compelling reasons why the UK should be added to the EU’s ‘safe travel’ list, to enable international travel to continue. British travellers are a major contributor to European economies, and vice versa. UK visitor numbers make up the biggest proportion of inbound travellers to many major EU countries, such as Spain, Portugal and Cyprus.
She added: “Suffocating international travel is counterproductive and benefits no one. We should be building stronger ties to support mutual economic growth and more opportunities for the already struggling travel and tourism sector, which has been hammered by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Derek Moore, deputy chairman of Aito, said: “This information, if correct, is hardly helpful in terms of resuscitation of the beleaguered travel industry.
“Quite frankly, we despair. Aito’s 220 specialist holiday companies and travel agents would normally sell a considerable amount of holidays within Europe across the six months from April to October.
“Having had no income now for over 12 months, the prospect of the booking famine continuing and customer confidence being hit yet again is, quite honestly, devastating, on top of the key issue of Foreign Office (FCDO) advice needing urgent attention to regionalise travel advice in a sensible way.
“We urge the government to grit its teeth and agree a deal with the EU. Those who voted for Brexit definitely did not vote for an end to their beloved holidays in Europe.”
Moore added: “If the travel industry cannot operate into Europe, flight routes won’t be in place to bring visitors to the UK; the UK economy will suffer twice over. There is simply no joined-up thinking by government, and no consultation with the travel industry. Our government unfortunately currently resembles Bedlam – a mad house.”
Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA union, said: “Just when we’ve had some good news from the vaccine rollout, this news about post-Brexit European travel restrictions could sound the death knell for the travel trade. Covid has already decimated business and government has been woeful in its lack of support for the industry.
“Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that this shambles of a government hasn’t addressed post-Brexit travel arrangements despite there being only days left for negotiations. The much vaunted ‘oven-ready deal’ has proved to be anything but.”
Joanne Dooey, president of the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA), said: “As with many issues surrounding Brexit, there remains confusion and a lack of clarity.”
Noting the reports, she added: “At the same time, there are reports that individual EU countries will be in a position to permit UK travellers to enter. There’s no clarity.”
She reiterated calls for a “robust testing regime” that is put “in place now” to allow for a resumption of travel, calling for Scotland to replicate the day five ‘test to release’ scheme due to be implemented in England next week.