Your Co-op Travel has warned that travel agents across the UK are facing a “bleak winter” without targeted government support amid the surge of Covid-19 cases.
It is joining Abta’s call for the government to introduce targeted support for the sector – tailored winter resilience grants; help for businesses facing loan repayments at a time when they have no income; and the extension of rates relief for all travel businesses in financial year 2022-23.
The brand operates 76 travel branches and works with more than 140 independent travel agents through the Co-op Travel Consortium, as part of the Midcounties Co-operative.
It cited Abta figures showing that average annual revenue across the travel industry has fallen by about 80% compared to pre-crisis levels.
The chain expects this figure to worsen because of the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which has seen high street footfall decline by more 20% in some areas, as well as the enhanced testing requirements introduced for traveller.
Sara Dunham (pictured), Midcounties’ chief officer for travel and leisure, said: “After almost two years of restrictions, the effects of the Omicron variant are having a devastating impact on UK travel operators, just when there was increasing optimism around business in 2022.
“We are therefore calling on the government to step up and take action now to protect livelihoods.”