Abta says the £3.5 million set aside as direct support for travel agents in Scotland last week was just the devolved administration “catching up”.
The association hailed the agents’ grant and an additional £7.5 million for inbound operators as “fantastic news”, and director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said: “It’s brilliant it’s travel specific.”
But he added: “It has taken some time to get here. This is the Scottish government catching up with the fact that it hadn’t provided any support since Omicron. Scotland hasn’t had a discretionary grants regime through 2021.”
He added: “Northern Ireland is now the only part of the UK not providing support since Omicron. Scotland, England and Wales have all seen additional financial support.”
Expectations of similar aid in Northern Ireland were dashed by the collapse of the executive last week. Damian Murphy, chair of the Association of Northern Ireland Travel Agents, said: “We got to the point last Wednesday where the economy committee would rubber stamp a proposal to the minister. The next day the executive collapsed. We’re trying to push, but we’re in limbo.”
Senior industry sources believe there could be no further UK government support unless restrictions return. One said: “There is no more money coming. The borders are open. The government’s view is ‘You can trade your way to recovery. Off you go.’”
But Petherbridge believes more agents in England should now benefit from the additional support grants (ADRs) distributed through local councils than last year. He said: “This time the government guidance is clear, that is why Abta wrote to all 314 councils in England. Agents’ success rate should be much higher.”
Barrhead Travel and the Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association last week hailed the Scottish government announcement as “excellent news”.
Abta said it would work to ensure the scheme supports as many businesses as possible.