About 300 Abta members attended a recent video conference on new entry rules – a record number the association said reflects a “pretty significant level of concern” about the potential impact of the changes.
The number of travel agent and tour operator members on the call was about three times higher than the association usually expects to attend such calls.
It is the second call Abta has held about the subject and allowed members to hear from the Department for Transport and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The new EU Electronic Entry/Exit System (EES) is currently expected to come into effect on November 10 and will require visitors to provide biometric data on their first entry into the bloc.
Speaking at Abta’s Travel Convention in Greece, director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said he was not surprised by the level of interest in the issue, adding: “I think there is a pretty significant level of concern on what the impact could be.”
The call allowed members to put their concerns to key government officials.
“It meant we could have a good, frank discussion on what they (members) should tell their customers and what they need to know,” Petherbridge said.
Issues raised included how members’ clients who are disabled are going to use security kiosks. Abta has also raised the issue of collective passports for groups such as schools and how this will work, particularly at the Port of Dover.
The first conference call, in February, was a broader question and answer session on EES and the European Etias visa scheme and also saw high turnout.
Petherbridge said that despite the planned changes there was no sign that consumer confidence had been affected.
He added: “While we believe awareness is increasing, there is still a fair way to go before the majority of travellers fully understand how the new EU Entry/Exit System will change their passport control experience when travelling to Europe.
“That’s perhaps unsurprising given that we’re still waiting for official confirmation of when the scheme will go live. It’s difficult to talk to a customer about a new system without knowing if it will actually be in place for their holiday.
“So, we are urging the EU to provide clarity on when EES will go live, and to make sure the changes are clearly communicated to consumers.”
Petherbridge said there were no plans for a further video call but admitted: “If EES slips back a few months there is the possibility we may look at doing it again.”
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