Britain’s Travel Industry Turns Out to Protest Government Restrictions
Photo Credit: The travel industry gathered at Westminster in London to protest on June 23. Skift / Jason Clampet
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A united front came together for a “Travel Day of Action” — but it'll take an extremely loud voice to convince policy makers to fast forward the proposed July 19 reopening date and pry open wallets for more cash handouts.
All bases are covered, as UK travel agents, operators, airports, pilots and industry associations protested on Wednesday, pleading for the government to speed up the opening of borders for international travel and boost financial aid packages.
Events took place in Edinburgh, Belfast and London, where the capital saw hundreds of people protest on College Green, opposite Westminster, for a “Travel Day of Action.”
UK body The Travel Association, which represents agents and tour operators, estimates 195,000 travel jobs have either been lost during the pandemic or are at risk. It wants to put pressure on prime minister Boris Johnson to accelerate the UK’s reopening in time for the peak summer season — but that time is running out, with one airline boss saying next month’s easing of travel restrictions would be “too little too late.”
It urged protesters to remember the maximum number of people who can be at the event at any one time is 400, and
