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Abta: 'Travel remains in a perilous state'
Travel remains in a "perilous state", Abta has warned, despite government plans to further ease the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, announced on Tuesday (23 June).
Prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and other accommodation in England, would be able to reopen on 4 July, boosting the prospect of domestic travel this summer.
The move has been cautiously welcomed by various UK leisure and hospitality trade associations and organisations, with UKinbound chief Joss Croft warning some businesses had over recent months experience the hardship of "three winters".
However, speaking in the Commons on Tuesday, Johnson refused to disclose any further details of the UK’s impending air bridge regime, expected to be announced by 29 June when the country’s 14-day quarantine on arrival measures are due their first three-weekly review.
It is understood the government is working on air bridge agreements with around 10 European destinations to kick start outbound tourism this summer.
"We need a more comprehensive roadmap as soon as possible that includes timeframes for relaxing international travel restrictions so businesses and customers can plan ahead," said Abta.
"The process of sending people on holiday is not like turning on a tap; as much advance notice as possible from the government is required for travel companies to restart operations.”
On easing lockdown, an Abta spokesperson added: “The measures announced today to ease lockdown further in England and allow people to stay overnight in self-contained accommodation, and take domestic holidays from 4 July, is a step in the right direction on the road to restarting travel in earnest.
"With travel restrictions in place for the last few months, there is latent demand to travel with people wanting to visit close family and friends and have something to look forward to.
“However, the travel sector remains in a perilous state, with redundancies announced each week, and more needs to be done to help the whole sector recover."
James Chapple
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