Agents, operators and TMCs are still eligible to apply for Additional Restrictions Grant funding and, after assessing council allocations to the end of August, Abta believes there could be as much as £300 million still available.
Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s director of public affairs, on Tuesday (19 October) said firms should get in touch with their local council and be persistent in their bid to secure funding.
Abta has also reiterated there is no restriction on the number of grants businesses may receive, and government guidance to councils – dating to June – encourages local authorities to focus their support on "those sectors that remain closed or are severely impacted by the extended restrictions, even if those businesses have already been in receipt of Restart Grants".
Earlier this year, the association wrote to councils across England calling on them to target the travel industry for support owing to the unique impact of government-imposed travel restrictions on travel firms.
Chief executive Mark Tanzer, meanwhile, has written to business minister Paul Scully and tourism minister Nigel Huddleston requesting they remind councils of the updated government guidance from June, and to request they urge local authorities to prioritise travel companies when funding for the £1.5 billion discretionary business rates relief scheme is distributed to councils in the coming weeks.
Abta has previously called for a range of additional financial support for travel ahead of next week’s Budget (27 October). This includes a dedicated grant scheme for travel businesses and an extension of business rates relief, as well as a plea not to increase taxes on consumers and businesses such as APD and corporation tax.
"While the relaxation of a number of restrictions means that things are starting to look up for international travel, the majority of our members have been starved of cash over the past 18 months," said Petherbridge.
"So, although it is easier for people to travel, without financial support some companies will find it difficult to get through these next few months, which is why we are urging them to pursue the Additional Restrictions Grant funding."
Petherbridge said travel firms had to be realistic, with funding varying from council to council and each authority free to make their own decisions, but stressed members should look into whether any funding is available. Abta members can see what is left in their local authority’s grant pot by checking the spreadsheet on Abta’s MemberZone.
"If the funding is available, we would urge members to get in touch directly with their local authority and to be persistent – providing evidence on how your business has been restricted over recent months and highlighting the guidance from government that urges support for travel companies," Petherbridge added. "We know from the stories of members that have been successful that perseverance is important."
