The association said to date, Scotland’s travel trade was yet to see a penny of this support – despite Omicron travel restrictions all but wiping out new sales over Christmas and new year.
While the restrictions have since been relaxed, and are set to be eased further next month, Abta’s director of public affairs Luke Petherbridge said it was now urgent the government pledged backed the trade and gave it the support it needs.
"It is great travel requirements will be relaxed in Scotland along with the rest of the UK," said Petherbridge.
"However, ministers must acknowledge the devastating impact Omicron had on Scotland’s outbound travel trade by providing similar financial support to that already offered to other sectors of the economy, including inbound and domestic tourism businesses."
Petherbridge continued: "The Scottish government announced £375 million in funding to help businesses that have been affected by the advice and restrictions put in place in response to the Omicron variant.
"Yet, to date, the outbound travel industry, has not seen a penny of this financial support. That is despite travel businesses having lost the important Christmas and new year trading period, and being the only sector of the Scottish economy that has faced constant restrictions, in one form or another, since March 2020.
"It is urgent this support is made available to travel agents and tour operators in Scotland, similar to the schemes available to businesses in England and Wales."
Abta has created a template letter for agents and operators to send their MSPs to share the message, and Abta has also created a similar letter for businesses based in Northern Ireland. They can be found at abta.com/savefuturetravel
