A warning has been issued that as many as 180,000 jobs could be lost across the UK travel and tourism sector if travel restrictions are re-imposed this winter.
Potential new measures which could see all travellers requiring a booster jab before they travel overseas would further damage the industry, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Recent reports suggest this is being considered by ministers in an attempt to increase protection from Covid-19 for the fully vaccinated.
Less than 20% of the UK population have received the booster jab, currently only available to the over 50s so far. This represents a minority of those able to travel, and such a move would once again leave millions unable to go abroad, with a huge economic impact as a result, the WTTC argued.
If wide-scale restrictions, such as limiting travel only to those with the booster jab were enforced in 2022, more than 500,000 jobs could be at stake next year.
However, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation today (Monday) advised that all adults aged 40 to 49 years should be offered a booster, six months after their second dose, in addition to those aged over 50 years and at higher risk from Covid-19.
WTTC president and chief executive Julia Simpson said: “The very real prospect of more than 500,000 people losing their jobs across the UK travel and tourism sector because of unnecessary travel restrictions is a huge concern to WTTC.
“We cannot afford to let all the hard-earned progress we’ve made this year, slide back and be reversed. Too many people’s livelihoods are at risk, as well as the continuing economic recovery of the UK.”
WTTC research last year revealed 307,000 sector jobs were lost and a recent report showed how severe restrictions imposed by the government, such as the traffic light system, will see international visitor spend fall by almost 50% on 2020 figures, making the UK one of the worst performing countries in the world.
Further analysis by the WTTC shows the government could see up to £5.3 billion wiped from the sector’s contribution to the economy before the end of 2021 if severe travel restrictions come back into force.