The fresh cash was announced on Tuesday (21 December) as part of a £1 billion support package for the hospitality sector, and had therefore been thought to have been reserved for those businesses.

However, Abta confirmed on Thursday – citing the government – that the cash, which is distributed by local authorities in England, would be available to travel businesses.

“The full guidance on how the £102 million top-up will be allocated is yet to be published, but the government has indicated leisure and hospitality companies that are directly eligible for the funding will not be recommended as recipients for the additional ARG funding, which should be allocated to businesses outside of those schemes," said an Abta spokesperson.

"So, while travel companies will likely be competing with some other businesses, for example, other retail businesses including personal care – hairdressers, salons, etc – this steer from government should increase the possibility of travel businesses obtaining these funds."

The spokesperson added Abta was pushing for the guidance being issued to local authorities to feature a recommendation that travel businesses are supported as a priority.

The association has produced a range of resources and tips to support members’ with their applications at abta.com/savefuturetravel.

Abta issued similar advice to members in October, estimating there could be as much as £300 million ARG funding still available and yet unallocated by local authorities.

It reiterated this in late-November following the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which triggered the reimposition of Day 2 testing and then pre-departure testing.