Travel agents campaign group Target has produced a list of six measures the government should take to support agents through the rest of the Covid-19 crisis.
The list of measures, which has been compiled following feedback from Target members, includes extending the furlough scheme until May 2022, allowing furloughed staff to process refunds, cancellations and amendments, and writing off government loans to agencies.
Target co-founder Graeme Brett, from Westoe Travel, said: “There many been many calls for targeted support for the travel industry but nothing has specified what that support should be.
“So many of our travel agent members have shared their stories of how they have missed out on financial support by either not qualifying or being unable to claim furlough because their staff had to work to deal with cancellations.”
The group said it was sending the list of proposed financial support measures to Abta’s chief executive Mark Tanzer in the hope he will “endorse our proposals” ahead of his appearance before the House of Commons Treasury Committee on Monday (7 June).
Other measures suggested by Target include the government making a one-off payment - representing 10% of 2019 revenue - to all agencies, including self-employed homeworkers, even if they are in a partnership or a limited company director.
It also wants one-off grants to be paid to company directors and others in the industry who have so far been excluded from support through the government’s Self Employed Income Support Scheme (Seiss).
Jill Waite, Target co-founder, added: “We have collected personal stories of the difficulties faced by members, which are so moving and have forwarded these to Mark Tanzer to assist with his appearance on Monday.
“Target wanted to give as much support as possible to Mark Tanzer to assist with getting our voice heard by the Treasury Committee.”