Several hundred agents, operators, cabin crew, and aviation staff joined forces to #SpeakUpForTravel on June 23, 2021, for the #TravelDayOfAction .
ABTA called members of the travel industry to #SpeakUpForTravel on June 23, 2021, as agents, operators, and aviation staff joined forces for the #TravelDayOfAction . Nationwide events took place in Edinburgh and Belfast, with the biggest crowd drawn to Westminster.
Members of the travel industry called for a tailored financial support package for the travel trade, clarity on the traffic-light system and the re-opening of save travel, based on the Global Travel Taskforce's recommendations.
From College Green, Westminster, we caught up with a number of operators and agents from all across the UK who were uniting for their industry.
Jenny Jackson, from Blue Bay Travel, explained: "We actually feel let down by the government... It's time for the government to appoint a Minister for Inbound & Outbound Travel who actually understands destinations and realizes there are also millions of people across the globe who rely 100% on tourism."
"We hope the Government will listen, there are a lot of people here that are dependent on travel - the Government needs to recognise the value that travel brings to the economy at a whole...", added Emma, head of PR for ABTA (who organised the #TravelDayOfAction).
On a positive note, Carly, from Premier Holidays, expressed how inspiring it was for the industry to unite: "It's so important to come together and stand as a united industry- having tour operators, agents, cabin crew and pilots all standing together is so inspiring... I think we all need a lift as well- we just need to be heard, because nobody seems to be listening."
Julie, from Inghams, said: "People here today haven?t earned any money since March 2020. The Government needs to be saying that whilst the rest of the world is opening up, the world of travel isn?t just yet, and they need to use that to inform the support they can give us. We want to be safe, and we want people to travel safe - we can help with that."
Agents from all across the UK came together, including a coach of representatives from Kirkham Travel, Romiley Travel and a selection of other companies. Carol, from Kirkham Travel, summed up her views on the #TravelDayOfAction: "We've come to show the Government that we need help to survive. We'd like sector-specific support and extension of furlough. We've been here trying to save our industry."
Nicky Lynn, manager at Althams, explained: "We just want the government to hear us, we want them to know we need support. We thought we'd come forward and demand more support from ABTA, as well.
"I hope the Government sees the need to open more destinations up, so we have something to sell. At the moment, the green list is a joke. We've got clients that have booked, cancelled, booked, cancelled... they're begging to spend money."
