Target said new restrictions on travel, introduced to combat the Omicron variant of Covid-19, risked severely depressing new bookings during what is typically the busiest selling window of the year.
Additionally, the group said outgoing would also increase with agents having to stay paying back bounceback loans and also make accommodations to pay Abta subscriptions.
"Historically, January is the most productive month for new bookings for the travel industry," said Target co-founder Jill Waite of Pole Travel. "With the latest travel restrictions, agents face losing this vital revenue stream."
Waite added those agents that took government-backed bounceback loans would soon be faced with repayments for these on top of their other expenses. Target has called for travel businesses to be given a repayment break.
Waite’s fellow co-founder, Westoe Travel’s Graeme Brett, added many agents had contacted the group to say they will not be able to afford the payments if there are no bookings coming in and no government support.
"We have asked Abta to urgently meet with Rishi Sunak and push the need for sector-specific support and for travel businesses to be given a repayment break for the bounceback loan repayments," said Brett.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer on Thursday (16 December) said Abta was seeking a meeting with transport secretary Grant Shapps and chancellor Rishi Sunak as a matter of urgency. Sunak has rushed back to the UK from a trip to the US, ostensibly – though – to meet with leaders from the hospitality industry.
Target will stage a Twitterstorm at midday on Friday (17 December) to push for a better settlement for travel. The text to tweet at midday is:
"The travel industry has been forgotten by the government. Travel restrictions have decimated our businesses. 200,000 jobs already lost in travel and thousands to follow without urgent support. @rishisunak @grantshapps @ABTAMembers #savetravel #savefuturetravel"
