Latest government data shows 26,800 staff in travel agents or tour operators were still on furlough on 31 July, the highest rate of any industry except the aviation sector.
Figures confirm 46% of agency and operator staff were on the Job Retention Scheme, compared to 51% in passenger air transport.
The Job Retention Scheme ends on 30 September, with the travel sector having had no sector-specific support, unlike hospitality and leisure.
The Travel Network Group is making a final plea to the government to consider sector support.
Chief executive Gary Lewis said: “The travel sector is of huge importance to the economy but has been consistently overlooked by the government throughout the pandemic.
“Data shows that outbound travel contributes £37.1 billion in gross value added (GVA) to the UK economy and directly sustains 221,000 UK jobs – a larger number than the UK’s steel industry, but we have seen little support or understanding of the nature of our industry.
“Where is the support for the businesses that are at risk and the jobs of 26,800 people?”
“The government has said that they have provided the tourism, hospitality, leisure and aviation sectors with billions of pounds worth of funding, but tour operators and travel agents do not fall under these categories, so have not benefitted.”
Lewis said that because travel worked on a commission basis, many businesses “don’t earn a penny until a traveller sets off”. Future bookings have not helped companies with cashflow problems after 18 months of little or no revenue, he added.
“With the furlough scheme coming to an end, travel business owners are now in an even more difficult position than last September. We estimate over 70% of these business owners to be women, and it’s vital that help is provided for the hard-working families and local workers that make up the travel industry, some of whom have worked in these businesses for decades.”
Lewis warned: “If no support is forthcoming in the next three weeks, then the travel industry will be irreversibly changed.”
