Agent campaign group Target has echoed a warning from Abta that agents will be up against other businesses in their local area for a share of the extra £102 million Additional Restrictions Grant funding announced shortly before Christmas.
The updated warning to the trade from Target comes after further details of the eligibility for the new support were revealed on Thursday; Additional Restrictions Grant support is allocated to local authorities to distribute at their discretion, rather than by central government.
The wording of the advice, dated 30 December, reads: "Local authorities are encouraged to support businesses from all sectors that may have been severely impacted by restrictions, or by the Omicron variant, including those outside of the business rates system."
It stresses these may include "the travel and tourism sector, including group travel, travel agents and tour operators [and] coach operators".
However, the advice lists a wide range of other businesses eligible for the same support, including hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care, wedding industries, nightclubs, theatres, events industries, wholesalers, English language schools, breweries, freelance and mobile businesses (including caterers, events, hair, beauty and wedding- related businesses) [and] gyms."
It also stresses the list is not exhaustive.
"The wording makes it clear travel agents can be considered for the Additional Restrictions Grant, along with a whole host of other businesses," said Target co-founder Graeme Brett, director of Westoe Travel in South Shields. "We urge all travel agents to contact their local council straight away."
After the fresh funding was announced on 23 December, Abta urged travel businesses to apply to their local councils, adding travel companies would "likely be competing with some other businesses". It has produced resources to help members apply.
In October, Abta issued a similar message to members, estimating – even back then – that there could be as much as £300 million in Additional Restrictions Grant funding yet unallocated.
Target co-founder Jill Waite of Pole Travel added: "There is a very wide range of companies eligible for the grants so we encourage all travel agents to apply immediately. That includes home-based businesses, retail shops, offices and call centres.
"There is no guarantee that anyone will get a grant as it is at their local council’s discretion, but we need to be ahead of everyone else if we can."
