More than 12,000 jobs have already been lost following the collapse of household names such as Flybe, Shearings, and Cruise and Maritime Voyages, while airlines, cruise lines, tour operators and travel agencies have announced huge redundancies.

At least a further 24,000 jobs are also now at risk from travel companies that have announced plans to axe roles as the sector struggles to survive.

The latest government developments on Saturday night which saw the Foreign Office advise against all but essential travel to mainland Spain, giving the travel industry just six hours to prepare for the mammoth changes, underlined the government’s lack of understanding or appreciation of the complexities facing the sector.

This was further emphasised on Monday evening, when this advice was extended to include the Balearics and Canaries, again, without any warning.

TTG, like most in the industry, believes this is not good enough.

The #SaveTravel campaign will raise awareness of the fragile state of the travel industry among both consumers and government.

It is also demanding ministers urgently recognise the need for a financial package of help for the industry.

#SaveTravel’s demands:

• Sector specific financial support from government – for years, the government has been happy to tax the industry through Air Passenger Duty. Why can’t at least 50% of all funds collected over the coming months be directly attributed to helping save the industry from which they are collected?
  
  
• Consider a holiday on Air Passenger Duty until the end of August 2021, to help with pricing and encourage consumers to start booking holidays again. The hospitality sector has been aided by the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. The travel industry is urgently requesting similar support from government too.

How you can help:

• Sign TTG’s letter to transport secretary Grant Shapps and chancellor Rishi Sunak demanding greater aid for the travel industry at this crucial time;
  
  
• Download our Twitter and Facebook assets (below) to show your support for the campaign;
  
  
• Share your support for #SaveTravel across social media.

We know these are only small steps, but TTG believes more needs to be done to raise awareness in government of the horrific plight facing our industry.

Look out for more details on #SaveTravel and how else you can lend your support to the campaign, coming soon.