With many of the testing regulations to enter the UK now relaxed, it will now become much easier for holidaymakers and business travellers to return to the UK from abroad – and allow inbound tourists, who contribute so much to the UK’s economy, plan a return visit.
However, while the landscape is slowly becoming easier for travel, there continues to be a great deal of complexity. We are definitely not out of the woods quite yet. Travellers still have to face a minefield of confusing regulations, depending on their destination, regarding test requirements, quarantine and evidence of vaccination.
Given this backdrop, we would continue to encourage travellers to always book with a human travel agent who can provide much-needed support and guidance on all travel matters, as regulations from country to country continue to vary hugely.
These complexities are even further evidenced when you consider the UK travel industry’s typical top 10 destinations, which includes Spain, France, the US and Germany, and the fact that none of these countries are open to all UK travellers. They are either still banning unvaccinated travellers, or asking all travellers to test, or both.
Also, there continues to be disparity across the EU on the validity period of when vaccinations expire, when a booster is required, and the age children require vaccination. Some countries require a negative Covid test within 24 hours, others 48, or even 72.
Travel to the US continues to be complex with individual states and territories having their own quarantine requirements. The same with Australia – the country finally opens up to vaccinated international travellers on 21 February, but Western Australia has delayed its plan to open up due to Omicron.
Travel agents now have their work cut out to manage the surge in bookings, combined with keeping on top of the different, ever-changing regulations. These bookings are not going to fix overnight a travel industry that for two years was reduced to little income, but hopefully the value currently evident of using a professional travel agent is here to stay.
Julia Lo Bue-Said is chief executive of the Advantage Travel Partnership.
