Mark Tanzer, ABTA’s Chief Executive said: “The evolving coronavirus situation is causing immense damage to UK travel businesses. I am calling for urgent action today by the Government to make money available to travel and tourism companies and to make temporary changes to existing package travel regulation.
“Without this action, we risk healthy travel businesses going bankrupt, thousands of job losses across the country and customers losing money.”
Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, added: “Millions of people rely on airlines, travel firms and tour operators and with many companies hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, it is vital that the government considers all options to support the industry and help it through this challenging period.
“If taxpayers’ money is to be used to sustain the travel industry, it is even more important that businesses do the right thing by their customers – particularly by supporting more vulnerable consumers – by demonstrating compassion and flexibility during the difficult weeks ahead.”
