The latest update to the government’s traffic light list prompted a mixed reaction from trade leaders.
Thursday’s announcement confirmed seven countries including Canada would move to the green list, with none moving to amber and Thailand and Montenegro turning red.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said the latest update “provided some stability and reassurance for holidaymakers” while Barrhead Travel chief executive Jacqueline Dobson said the additions were “positive news”.
However, both said the government needed to do more to reopen travel and support the sector, while Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said blasted the decision not to move Turkey from the red to amber list and said the latest review had “again ended in utter disappointment”.
Tanzer said: “The latest travel update provides some stability to international travel as well as reassurance for holidaymakers heading off to popular holiday destinations over the coming weeks.
“The government now needs to focus its attention on sorting out some of the structural issues that are stopping people travelling and delaying the industry’s recovery.
“The UK may be leading the way on the vaccine rollout but it is lagging behind other countries when it comes to opening up international travel and making it easy for people to travel.”
Tanzer repeated calls for the government to overhaul its testing regime and reconsider a support package for travel companies prevented from trading.
Dobson said: “It is particularly heartening to see some important European destinations as well as Canada, which has indicated borders will open on September 7.
“There is some stability coming back into the market and we’ve seen demand increasing in line with more choice on the green list.”
However, she added: “With furlough coming to a close and no sign of further financial support, the industry needs to know exactly what to expect over the coming weeks.
“The impending review of the travel system is due by October 1 yet the industry has no indication of what that might look like.
“October could be an extremely busy month for departures if restrictions permit, meaning this would be a crucial part of recovery ahead of winter.
“The UK government and devolved nations simply must engage with the industry now if it is to support a realistic start to travel recovery.”
Lo Bue-Said said: “Yet again another traffic light review ending in utter disappointment with Turkey staying on the red list and destinations which are not significant volume destinations making it onto the green list. Of those destinations added only Finland and the Azores are open to all visitors without restrictions.”
She added: “There has never been a positive cumulative effect from the traffic light system which makes it almost impossible for travel agents to trade their way into recovery. The system is akin to robbing Peter to pay Paul which benefits no one.
“It is vital that government minsters make informed decisions in collaboration with industry experts or we will see business failures by the end of the year as any support dries up. The government must recognise that its damaging travel policies are deconstructing an industry on the precipice.
“As well as an ineffectual traffic light system the testing requirements are not only onerous, and expensive they are entirely redundant. No technology to verify test codes on passenger locater forms means the whole system is pointless at best, industry sabotage at worst.”
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “We are pleased that our customers can continue to plan and look forward to quarantine-free flights and holidays across more than 40 green and amber list destinations, but this is still nothing like a meaningful return to international travel.
“With so many areas of everyday life able to open up properly, it is frustrating that the simple concept of taking a much-needed holiday should still be subject to a different and stricter set of rules. International travel must try and operate with the handbrake applied yet so many other industries can reopen freely.”
Heapy added: “The traffic light system is due for review in October, and we know this cannot come soon enough for hardworking families and customers. The system needs to be simpler and less confusing for holidaymakers, whilst opening up travel properly.”
Lisa Henning, managing director of The Inspire Group, said she was disappointed not to see more additions go green, but said she was confident the update would not hinder an improvement in bookings.
She said: “It’s very disappointing not to see further popular holiday destinations added to the green list, and difficult to see what’s driving the decisions, as it’s clearly not the data. However, it’s pleasing to see that Canada, Switzerland and Finland have gone green, which will help sales of Winter Ski and Lapland Christmas breaks.
“We may have lost summer now, but bookings for September departures have been exceptionally strong for us and, on the back of this update, that should remain.”