Holidaymakers are likely to suffer more “confusion and anxiety” due to different parts of the UK diverging on their quarantine regimes.
Research firm GlobalData said the recovery of the travel industry from the Covid-19 crisis could be held back by the lack of a “unified” approach between the UK government and the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales.
England, Scotland and Wales are all now operating different quarantine requirements for some destinations, such as Portugal and Greece.
Johanna Bonhill-Smith, a travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData, said: “The idea of a swift recovery of tourism post Covid-19 has been thwarted.
“Ongoing fluidity of the UK’s air bridges, coupled with economic constraints and general anxiety, means that the UK outbound market will be decimated in 2020 and will likely be further affected in 2021.
“If the quarantine roulette persists and the UK continues to operate a disjointed approach, this will only heighten consumer concerns over travel plans, likely prolonging travel recovery.”
GlobalData’s latest consumer research found that 45% of UK travellers were “extremely concerned” about their economic situation.
“Holidays are a non-essential so as budgets tighten and economic concerns grow, holidays won’t be a priority for many,” added Bonhill-Smith.