The government announced late on Thursday (25 November) that six countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, would be going on the red list due to concerns about a new Covid-19 variant, which has been identified in the region.
Lo Bue-Said, chief executive at Advantage Travel Partnership said: “Black Friday has taken on a whole new meaning today in the travel industry.
“Yet again, an entire industry is informed of drastic changes to travel restrictions by a late-night tweet from government, leaving travel agents scrambling to repatriate their customers in these southern African countries and cancel and rebook those who had planned to travel over the festive period.”
She also warned that the wider “knock-on” impact on consumer confidence to book other destinations was also “deeply concerning for the travel industry”.
“This sudden change only demonstrates the urgent need for the International Travel Policy Review, which is due in January,” she argued. “We simply cannot operate our businesses with this level of uncertainty hanging over us for the foreseeable future.”
Abta said the announcement would be “devastating” for travel firms specialising in southern Africa, although the association recognised “why this decision has been made” by the UK government.
“These businesses have had very little opportunity to generate income for almost two years and now face a further period of being unable to trade – just as the region’s peak season begins,” said an Abta spokesperson
“The government must consider stepping in to provide targeted support where precautionary measures such as these close UK travel businesses, as they have done previously for other sectors of the economy.
“It is also vital the decision is kept under careful review and that restrictions are lifted promptly if it becomes clear there is not a risk to the UK vaccination programme.”
Lo Bue-Said added: “It’s important to remember that many of these people who are overseas in these destinations would be visiting friends and family for the first time in over two years – and now they have to make the heart-breaking decision to return home early.
“Not only that, but there is only a very small window for passengers to try and make it home in time to avoid the inhumane hotel quarantine and a hefty bill to go with it – why can’t this be replaced with home self-isolation and appropriate testing instead?”
