Abta is providing travel agents and tour operators in Scotland with template letters to urge their Member of Scottish Parliament to support the association’s calls for funding.
Luke Petherbridge (pictured), Abta’s director of public affairs, welcomed news that Scotland is relaxing travel restrictions along with the rest of the UK but highlighted the impact of the latest variant of Covid-19 on the outbound sector.
“Ministers must acknowledge the devastating impact Omicron had on Scotland’s outbound travel trade by providing similar financial support to that already offered to other sectors of the economy, including inbound and domestic tourism businesses,” he said.
“The Scottish government announced £375 million in funding to help businesses who have been affected by advice and restrictions put in place in response to the Omicron variant.
“Yet, to date, the outbound travel industry, has not seen a penny of this financial support.
“That is despite travel businesses having lost the important Christmas and New Year trading period, and being the only sector of the Scottish economy that has faced constant restrictions, in one form or another, since March 2020.
“It is urgent that this support is made available to travel agents and tour operators in Scotland, similar to the schemes available to businesses in England and Wales.”
He said there is also a similar letter for businesses based in Northern Ireland to write to Members of the Legislative Assembly as the association is continuing to urge ministers in both nations to act.
The letters can be found at abta.com/savefuturetravel