The news that Portugal
is being removed from the UK’s green list of destinations from which arrivals
do not need to go into quarantine has been slammed by the industry.
Clive Wratten, CEO of
the Business Travel Association, said: “Today’s announcement has effectively closed UK
borders. It is a devastating day for the travel industry as a whole. Removing
Portugal from the green list will destroy any confidence in international
travel, whether for work or leisure.
“It
is imperative now that the Government extends the furlough scheme for our
sector. We are being prevented from operating on any scale whatsoever and need
targeted support if we are to survive.”
Martin Ferguson, vice president of public affairs at American Express Global Business Travel, said, “The entire travel industry, across business and leisure, rightly feels exasperated by today’s news. The government has a tough job, but the entire travel supply chain needs better clarity and more action.
“We expect international travel and trade will be on the G7 agenda next week. The UK government must use its presidency to lead international collaboration on globally accepted digital travel certification standards that will enable the safe reopening of vital international trade routes.”
Johan Lundgren, easyJet CEO, said the decision to remove Portugal "simply isn’t justified by the science".
“To add no more countries to the green list when most of Europe’s infection rates are on a downward trend and many places with low infection rates below that of the UK...this makes no sense. Especially when domestic travel is allowed within the UK, despite a number of cities having infection rates 20 times greater than much of Europe.
“When this framework was put together, consumers were promised a waiting list to allow them to plan. Yet the government has torn up its own rule book and ignored the science, throwing peoples’ plans into chaos, with virtually no notice or alternative options for travel from the UK. This decision essentially cuts the UK off from the rest of the world."
Charlie Cornish, CEO of the Manchester Airports Group, said: “We were told the traffic light system would allow people to travel safely, with the right measures in place to manage risk for different countries. But it is now clear the Government doesn’t trust its own system and that international travel is being unfairly scapegoated, with tens of thousands of jobs placed at risk in the process.
“Low-risk destinations continue to be left off the green list despite clear evidence they are safe to visit...If we followed the approach being taken across Europe, lots of other countries – like the United States, Germany and Italy – would also be classed as green."
Jason
Oshiokpekhai, managing director of Global Travel Collection UK, has called for
the opening of business travel corridors.
He
said, “We urgently need a globally coordinated and recognised, comprehensive
system that stabilises customer confidence and reduces the chaotic
circumstances our industry navigates through on a daily basis.
“Government requirements (such as
certificates, tracking measures, forms etc.) must be agreed at an international
level where all processes and policies are aligned and coherent for the travel
advisor and as well as the traveller.”
“The starting point for this must be between
countries with leading vaccination programmes which includes the UK and US as
well as opening to key European destinations. Progress in such countries
creates an opportunity for the respective governments to pioneer a secure
travel structure that can be scaled up as we progress out of the pandemic.
“The progressive levels of protection covering the UK and US
populations supports the possibility to pioneer a solution through business
travel corridors, enabling resumption of vital projects that benefit
businesses, industries, jobs and the economy in the UK.”
Meanwhile, Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the TSSA union, which represents many workers in travel and transport, said, “Moving Portugal to the amber list is
the right thing to do if that’s what the science says. But the way this Tory
government has bungled the decision means travel chaos.”
“The government needs to sit up and pay attention. If
the industry is to survive then the government needs to step in and offer
travel agents bespoke support as it has done with other industries such as
hospitality and rail. Otherwise there’s a very real risk we will not have a
travel industry left when this pandemic is done.”
The green list is largely symbolic. The remaining countries on the list have either banned arrivals from the UK altogether or imposed severe restrictions on those who can enter.