It’s eight days until the UK is due to leave the European Union, and the travel industry is angry.
Like most sectors, there are myriad reasons for this fury: the fact that with just a week to go, there is still no plan as to how the UK will leave the EU, or even if we will; the fact the government has wasted two-and-a-half years achieving very little; the fact MPs’ parliamentary debates have been so consumed with Brexit there has been little time for anything else of concern to be discussed (Airline Insolvency Review, anyone?). The list is endless.
Now, it’s not just government incompetence frustrating travel. It’s the increasing evidence of the very real – and very damaging – ramifications of Brexit’s impact on the industry.
First, there was the collapse of Ski-Val, licensed to carry 4,170 Atol-protected passengers. The Devon-based firm failed last week after 43 years in operation. For Diane Palumbo of the Seasonal Businesses in Travel lobby group, Brexit is the obvious reason for its collapse. She tells TTG: “Just as in 2008 with the financial crisis… ski is a tough market for everyone.” The difference this time, she says, is nobody knows what will happen.
This week, there was further evidence of just how far Brexit’s tendrils reach, as the Irish travel sector became the latest market to be affected.
Dublin Port confirmed plans to cut its cruise calls in half and stop turnaround sailings altogether from 2021. Its reason? An apparent need to create space “to stage inspections due to Brexit”, meaning the port must prioritise freight over tourism.
Irish agents are understandably shocked – and worried. “This will have serious implications,” warns Mary McKenna, founder of Cruise Holidays.
Few can deny now just how catastrophic the ongoing uncertainty around – and impact of – Brexit really is. That we’re “taking back control” is of little solace.
Our industry, as every other, deserves better.