Boss Mark Tanzer’s comments were echoed by Advantage chief Julia Lo Bue-Said, SPAA president Mike Tibbert and WTTC president Julia Simpson on Monday (14 March). Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced plans to scrap all inbound testing, as well as passenger locator forms, in a string of tweets on Monday afternoon.
The full details were later confirmed by the Department for Transport. Jet2holidays and Jet2.com chief Steve Heapy said it marked international travel "finally returning to normal". Others said it would set the travel and tourism sectors on real path to recovery and came as a breakthrough moment for travel.
Abta chief executive Tanzer said: “The removal of all remaining Covid travel measures is a watershed moment for the travel industry. With no more tests or forms to fill in on return to the UK, travel is finally starting to return to normal and many more people will have the confidence to go ahead and book a long-awaited holiday.
“With destinations around the world also continuing to relax their entry restrictions, international travel is becoming easier as we approach the Easter holidays and look ahead to the summer. We would encourage anyone who is thinking of booking a holiday to speak with an Abta member for expert help and advice, and to understand any Covid measures which may remain in the country they plan to visit.”
Lo Bue-Said, Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive, said the announcement marked the start of a fresh effort to rebuild travel. "For the past two years, the sector has faced no end of restrictions and disruption, alongside geographical uncertainty – this move will enable the industry to start taking the momentous challenge of rebuilding itself," she said.
“It is also positive news for UK holidaymakers who can once again travel more freely and easily with less hassle and frictionless travel. Destination rules will continue to apply and the importance of booking through a human travel agent for peace of mind has never been so important.”
