Agent campaign group Target – Travel Agents Reform Group Engaged Together – is calling on all agencies to apply ‘straight away’ to local councils for fresh financial support.
Target co-founder Graeme Brett said updated advice issued by the government on December 30 “makes it clear that travel agents can be considered for the Additional Restrictions Grant, along with a whole host of other businesses”.
He added: “We urge all travel agents to contact their local council straight away.”
Last month, the government unveiled a new tranche of £1 billion in support for the hospitality and leisure sectors, including a £102 million boost for the Additional Restrictions Grants (ARGs) fund to add to the £250 million in the fund that as of December 21 was yet to be given out to impacted businesses.
Abta has also urged agents to apply to their local councils for ARGs, which are available until March 2022 – although in the past agencies have seen varying success in their applications.
The updated advice said: “Local authorities are encouraged to support businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions, or by the Omicron variant, including those outside of the business rates system.
“These may include, but are not limited to: hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, the travel and tourism sector, including group travel, travel agents and tour operators, coach operators, wedding industries, nightclubs, theatres, events industries, wholesalers, English language schools, breweries, freelance and mobile businesses (including caterers, events, hair, beauty and wedding related businesses), gyms, and other businesses that may have not received other grant funding.”
Jill Waite, Target co-founder, added: “There is a very wide range of companies eligible for the grants so we encourage all travel agents to apply immediately.
“That includes home-based businesses, retail shops, offices and call centres.
“There is no guarantee that anyone will get a grant as it is at their local council’s discretion but we need to be ahead of everyone else if we can.”