UKinbound and 67 business leaders from the inbound tourism industry have written to the prime minister to ask for emergency financial support amid the Omicron travel restrictions.
Signed by attractions, destinations, hotels, transport providers and tour operators from across the country, the letter emphasised that inbound tourism has been “in peril” for 22 months and that the latest restrictions have come at “considerable cost to businesses that are on the cusp of recovery”.
It highlighted how businesses were struggling pre-Omicron and now the re-introduction of pre-departure testing, day-two PCR testing and the need to isolate pre-results, is causing mass cancellations.
To support tourism businesses, the letter asks for three elements:
• Provide emergency grant support for businesses in the inbound tourism industry
• Allocate the £1.5 billion Business Rates Relief Fund to businesses most impacted by Covid-19
• Allocate the remaining Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding to businesses facing direct challenges as a result of Covid-19
Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, said: “Almost every UK business that works in inbound tourism has been affected by the Omicron travel restrictions.
“These new constrains have directly restricted businesses’ ability to trade and with government support all but ceased, the industry is in a precarious position.
“We desperately need emergency funding that would allow businesses to weather the direct effects of Omicron.
“We have therefore asked government to work with the industry, prior to the next restrictions review date of December 21, to develop a suitable fund.”
Earlier this week UKinbound released new survey results after more than 100 member businesses provided feedback about the new UK border restrictions.
A vast majority (86%) confirmed they have received cancellations or are expecting to receive further cancellations in the run up to Christmas.
The association has also drafted a template letter for members to send to their PMs regarding the need for emergency support.