The Travel Network Group has welcomed the opportunity to help steer the government’s reconvened Global Travel Taskforce, and said it hoped consumers would feel confident to book travel from late June onwards.
Chief executive Gary Lewis said the government’s roadmap announcement on Monday provided a “clear, logical guide” to recovery, and said the inclusion in the consultation of the Save Future Travel Coalition, of which TTNG is a member, meant “the industry would be heard”.
Lewis said: “The government have given us a clear, logical, step-by-step guide that can deliver a sustainable recovery. We hope that consumers have faith in the approach and in the targets the government has set, and confidence grows in the reopening of uninterrupted international travel. This will support bookings for travel from late June onwards.
“The government announcement on international travel on April 12 will be shaped by the advice from the newly reformed Global Travel Taskforce, an essential conduit to guide the restart of travel. The inclusion of the Save Future Travel Coalition means our industry will be heard and will contribute to the decision-making process.
“We hope that this industry-government collaboration, anchored in data-backed evidence, will help protect many more travel businesses.”
Lewis also reiterated calls for support in next week’s Budget, saying additional measures could help the industry navigate “the start of the end of this crisis”.
He said: “We are calling for government support so the industry can protect businesses and jobs until it is safe for people to travel again and provide more information on the infrastructure for the re-start of international travel, such as introducing free or affordable testing at airports or the possibility of vaccine passports.
“In the chancellor’s Budget next week, we’d like to see tailored support for the sector, such as targeted grants to help businesses stay liquid until travel can reopen again, extension of support mechanisms such as furlough, VAT deferrals and business rates relief.
“We believe these measures will support the industry through what feels like the start of the end of this crisis.”
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