The travel industry has “once again been kicked down the road” after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned against booking foreign summer holidays.
Speaking at a press briefing yesterday evening, Mr Johnson said he was hopeful “we can get going from May 17”, which is the earliest possible date for overseas leisure travel under the lockdown exit strategy, however his review document stated: “We are not yet in a position to confirm” May 17.
Continued uncertainty has been blasted as “beyond disappointing” by Clive Wratten, the chief executive of the Business Travel Association, who called for a “clear pathway”. He added: “To be a truly global Britain, we must lead the way in opening borders, supporting vital supply chains, and digitising health certification.”
Steve Norris of Flight Centre Travel Group said: “We had hoped today’s announcement would go further to provide the lifeboat we’ve been hoping for to get travel back on its feet”, adding “the travel industry cannot afford another summer of indecision and hesitancy”.
However, there are hopes it “still could be a strong summer” said Johan Lundgren, the chief executive of Easyjet, although “every day that goes that we don’t get clarity on the exact date makes it more challenging.”
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