Comment: Traffic Lights Announcement
3.06.21 | OliverToday’s announcement that no further destinations will be added to the green travel list, AND Portugal will be moved from green to amber is devastating news for all local travel agents and their employees.
It’s a real shock, especially after the government lifted the FCDO travel advice for the Canary Islands, Rhodes, Kos, Zakynthos, Corfu and Crete early last month!
To recap, the governments traffic light system focusses on requirements when you return to the UK. The FCDO advice is relevant for outbound travel, it assesses how safe the government feel it is to visit a destination.
Unfortunately, the government doesn’t keep the two aligned, so even though they say it is safe to visit Corfu for example, as Greece is on the Amber list you are forced to home quarantine when you return. The fact they have used traffic lights which are of course associated with the starting line has caused total confusion with the public.
Since 17th May, Portugal, Gibraltar, Iceland and Israel were all on the green list so no quarantine when you get home. Today’s announcement however takes Portugal off that list which means you will now have to quarantine when you get home. However, the FCDO advice still says it is ok to go there so your travel insurance will still be valid and you are free to carry on as you wish.
Confused? I don’t blame you really, however it just goes the show the importance of booking with an independent ABTA and AITO member as they are best equipped to take care of all the hassle for you.
We are now in month 14 of government travel restrictions which have significantly impacted our family business and no doubt our local colleagues too. Whilst we appreciate travel needs to be safe; airlines, airports, destinations and hoteliers have all put significant protocols in place to keep us safe. Scientists have confirmed there is a higher chance of contracting covid in a local supermarket than on an aircraft! (Harvard Chan School, Washington Post, CNN & ABC).
My concern is for the future of our industry, all those whom it employs and local businesses that benefit by selling holiday clothes, sun-tan lotion, beach towels and all the other items we stock up on before we escape on a well-deserved break. Local retailers have suffered long enough, this is another kick in the teeth.
The ONS (Office of National Statistics) has confirmed travel is the worst hit industry so the government are fully aware of the financial impact and yet we have received zero sector specific support. We have repeatedly appealed to Michael Fabricant, MP for assistance with a variety of campaigns backed by ABTA and AITO and we are yet to see any serious commitment or support.
Last year was our company’s 35th year here on Boley Park. We’ve had a great amount of support from clients and local residents and continued to keep in touch with everyone. We have many, many holidays booked for clients for later this year, 2022 and even 2023 so we know things will eventually turn around. I hope others will be able to weather the storm as securely as we are and can once again help support and service the local economy to our fullest potential.
Oliver Broad
Joint MD, RB Collection
PS: Whilst overseas travel remains somewhat restricted for the immediate future, remember this advice is reviewed every 3 weeks or thereabouts. In the meantime, there is the Great British Summer Cruises to look forward to, join our event on 9th June to learn more, click here to register.
Cruise Event