The owner of the UK’s largest travel agency has thrown her weight behind calls for a “significant simplification” of the UK’s travel restrictions.
Industry leaders and airlines have been calling for a more straightforward alternative to the red-amber-green lists which determine the restrictions for those arriving in the UK from overseas.
Hopes that the October 1 review date might be brought forward appear to have diminished, according to sources close to government talks.
Dame Irene Hays, owner of Hays Travel, told Travel Weekly: “There is a big group of people who are not confident about the processes, procedures and perceived barriers to travel currently.
More:Hays Travel returns to profitability in August
“That is a significant number, so our ambition should be to have a significant simplification of the testing system based on science; on vaccination numbers and infection rates.
“These are all still progressing well. It’s not always a nice clean curve – there might a blip, but overall vaccination rates are going up and infection rates are coming down so I’m hopeful that, in another [four] weeks, we will be in a position where we can have simplification because, for some people, the biggest factor is lack of confidence around the processes to enable people to travel.”
Hays said the testing regime also provided a “significant barrier” to bookings, but said it was more straightforward than many reluctant customers imagine.
The agency has relationship with two suppliers recommended by government, with tests priced from £33.60 and dropboxes at its shops to make the delivery process more smooth.
On pre-departure tests, which need to be taken within 72 hours of travel, she said customers “generally” receive results within 24 hours of laboratories receiving it.
Hays’ separate deal allows customers to take the test with them to be completed before their return.
“While it sounds challenging, it’s really not,” said Hays. “But nevertheless, psychologically, we still have a big number of people who don’t want to put themselves through that. Like anything the first time you do it, they’re frightened about making a mistake. It’s a significant barrier.”