Travel agents in Northern Ireland have been excluded as part of a £40 million Omicron support package for the hospitality sector.
Agents were not included in a list of more than 3,200 eligible businesses published by the Northern Ireland Executive.
Those to receive funds include restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and pubs.
The grants have left travel companies out in the cold, reflecting the situation in England after chancellor Rishi Sunak announced one-off payments of £6,000 for hospitality and leisure businesses.
Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said responded by calling on the sector to build a war chest to step up trade lobbying.
Tweeting on Thursday, she said: “Six months ago the entire industry got together to lobby MPs.
“Today we’re no further forward, more job losses, travel restrictions, no income for many businesses reliant on the UK outbound travel sector.
“That’s why I’m calling on the sector to build a war chest.”
Northern Ireland first minister Paul Givan said: “Businesses in the hospitality sector are facing huge difficulty at what should be their busiest time of the year. The rise in Omicron cases is resulting in cancellations as people understandably exercise caution.
“Recognising businesses in the hospitality sector are likely to struggle over the coming weeks, the Executive is providing £40 million in one-off support grants.”
Deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said: “As an Executive, we have been listening to industry and recognise the losses the sector is experiencing. We hope this package, which will pay much greater amounts than the English scheme, will help them through these difficult circumstances.
“As an Executive we will do all we can to support the hospitality industry as we fight this pandemic together. It is also essential that the Westminster government reintroduces the furlough scheme for workers as a matter of urgency.”